UNIZIK Hosts Global Conference on AI, Innovation and the Future of Accounting Education in Africa
By Nweke Ebuka
Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), through its UNIZIK–ANAN Centre for Accountancy Research Studies, in collaboration with the European Union-sponsored DESIRE Project, has hosted the 2026 International Hybrid Conference on re-engineering accounting education and practice for the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy.
The conference, held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the UNIZIK Business School, Awka, was themed “Re-Engineering Contemporary Accounting Thought and Practice: Tech-Innovations, Industrialisation and Work-Integrated Learning in Africa.”
It attracted academics, researchers, accounting professionals, students, policymakers, and industry stakeholders from Nigeria and other countries to examine the future of accounting in the age of emerging technologies.
In his welcome address, the Director of the UNIZIK–ANAN Centre for Accountancy Research Studies, Prof. Emma Ikechukwu Okoye, commended participants for their commitment to advancing accounting education and professional practice. He observed that disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, cloud computing, machine learning, data analytics, robotic process automation, and digital financial platforms are reshaping the accounting profession and redefining the competencies required of modern accountants.
Prof. Okoye stressed the need for universities and professional accounting bodies to redesign their curricula and training models to produce graduates equipped for today’s technology-driven workplace. He urged participants to develop practical strategies for preparing graduates for emerging career opportunities, strengthening industrialisation, promoting entrepreneurship, supporting public sector reforms, and accelerating sustainable development across Africa.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. P. V. C. Okoye, welcomed participants and encouraged students to maximise the unique learning opportunities provided by the conference. He urged them to actively engage in discussions and ask questions, noting that meaningful participation is essential for academic and professional growth.
Presenting the DESIRE Project, the Project Representative, Prof. Gloria O. Okafor, described the initiative as an international partnership designed to improve the employability of accounting graduates in Nigeria and Uganda through the integration of employability skills into accounting education using the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) model.
She explained that despite the growing global demand for accounting professionals, many graduates struggle to secure employment due to insufficient practical workplace skills. According to her, the DESIRE Project seeks to bridge this gap by strengthening university-industry collaboration, embedding employability competencies into accounting curricula, enhancing workplace readiness, and aligning academic training with labour market expectations.
Prof. Okafor further disclosed that the project is anchored on internationally recognised frameworks, including the Global Gateway Initiative, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Sustainable Enterprises Framework, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, and the European Union’s Sub-Saharan Africa Programme. She added that Nnamdi Azikiwe University is among the Nigerian universities implementing the initiative.
The lead paper was delivered by the Principal of MAT Abacus Business School, Uganda, Prof. Samuel Sejjaaka, on the topic “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Financial Accounting.”
Prof. Sejjaaka highlighted the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on financial accounting, noting that AI is revolutionising not only the tasks accountants perform but also the way they analyse data, make decisions, and create value. He explained that AI enables professionals to move beyond routine bookkeeping to strategic financial analysis through automation, advanced data analytics, and intelligent decision-support systems.
While acknowledging the enormous opportunities presented by AI, he emphasised the importance of continuous learning and digital skills acquisition, urging accounting professionals to embrace technological innovation to remain competitive in the evolving global economy.
The conference featured engaging technical sessions and panel discussions on technology-driven accounting education, industrialisation, innovation, and work-integrated learning. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration between academia and industry to produce globally competitive accounting graduates equipped with the knowledge and practical skills required for the future of work.