Sam Abu, Regional Senior Partner for PwC West Market Area (PwC Africa), delivered a compelling address at the 55th Annual Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), emphasizing ethical leadership as a cornerstone for economic transformation.
Speaking to a gathering of industry leaders, Abu underscored that ethics is not merely a professional standard but a critical economic infrastructure that fosters trust and sustains growth.
Representing PwC’s global perspective, Abu highlighted ethical leadership as an economic imperative. “When accountants act ethically, they protect more than reputations—they safeguard economies,” he stated. He stressed that transparency, accountability, and fairness in financial reporting attract investment, spur innovation, and ensure market stability.
Abu positioned professional accountants as stewards of financial truth, noting their pivotal role in resource allocation, risk management, and governance. “Every fair audit and objective assessment strengthens confidence in our profession and the economy,” he said, urging accountants to uphold integrity in their decision-making.
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To sustain trust, Abu advocated for embedding ethics into organizational systems through continuous professional development, technology-driven transparency, and cultures that encourage speaking up. He also called for collaboration with global standard-setters like IFAC and ICAN to elevate ethical expectations across markets. “Trust in financial information enables investment and innovation; ethics ensures that trust endures,” he remarked, framing ethics and trust as the backbone of sustainable, inclusive growth.
Later that week, Abu attended the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Summit, themed The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030. There, he engaged in discussions on reform, inclusion, and governance, reinforcing the importance of ethical leadership in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.
Abu expressed gratitude to ICAN and NESG for fostering vital conversations on leadership and the future of the accounting profession, solidifying his commitment to driving impactful change in the region.
