Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien, Accountant General, Akwa Ibom State.
Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien, the Account General of Akwa Ibom State and Vice Chairman of the Forum of Accountant Generals in Nigeria, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). On Saturday 16 May 2026, Pastor Andrew-Essien was honoured with the prestigious Icons Award by ICAN, at the 2026 annual dinner and awards night held at the Monarch Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos State. This former teacher of Accounting at the Akwa Ibom Polytechnic maintains a warm disposition towards the press, but he is not found to grant media interviews or speak about his career voyage. In silence, he nudges his influence to build institutions and people. In the joy of his latest professional award, Pastor Andrew-Essien, gladly spoke with our correspondent. We present you excerpts from that exclusive chat.
Q: You have just been honoured as an Icon of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and decorated with a gold medal for professional integrity. What does this award mean to your career?
The award is a wake-up call for me to do more for God, ICAN and humanity.
Q: In which year did you become a Chartered Accountant?
I qualified immediately after my graduation. I sat for ICAN examination in 1990 and passed, but I was granted membership and presented with my certificate of membership of the Institute in 1993. So, I have been a Chartered Accountant for 33 years.
Q: What has been the most memorable moments in your career voyage?
I have had a lot of awesome moments in my career, but the most memorable remains being able to raise other Chartered Accountants. In the year 2000, I was one of the founding members of First Attempt Associates, an ICAN-accredited centre that prepares candidates for foundation, skills, and professional level examinations. When I became the Accountant General, the Lord granted our efforts with success and I was able to secure approval for the creation of ICAN study centres in Akwa Ibom State. Through these centres, we have been able to produce over 600 Chartered Accountants. There is hardly an office I would enter that I would not see my former students and mentees, who are now my professional colleagues.
Prior to the accreditation of study centres in Uyo, candidates from Akwa Ibom State typically attended tutorial centres in neighbouring States, mostly in Port Harcourt, Rivers State or Aba in Abia State. Others relied on long-distance study option and would have to
to relocate to major cities with established hubs like Lagos or Abuja for intensive physical ICAN training.
Q: You have reached the peak of your career as a Chartered Accountant. What is your next professional aspiration?
My aspiration has always been to serve God and humanity. I am fully devoted to this lifetime goal.
RELATED STORY: Akwa Ibom State Accountant General receives ICAN Icons’ Award for professional integrity
Q: Your profession gives you access to public funds and this can test your integrity. What has been your personal guide to maintaining high standards of integrity?
Maintaining high standards of integrity is a key ethical demand for all Accountants. Beyond being a professional demand, upholding high standards of integrity as a person involves a lot of things. For me, one of such things is family up-bringing. Another one is self-determination, a personal decision to follow the path of integrity. Also, the kind of books you read, the Bible is most helpful. When you intentionally expose yourself to positive messages and influence, it will help to build your integrity.
Q: As the Accountant General of Akwa Ibom State, what Accounting innovations have you introduced to block leakages of public funds and improve efficiency in payment processes?
I inherited the Cash Basis of Accounting when I assumed office as the Accountant General of Akwa Ibom State. I was able to midwive the migration of the Accounting System to the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS -Cash) between 2017 to 2020, and later to IPSAS-Accrual in 2021. IPSAS-Accrual is the accounting standards designed for public sector entities worldwide, to improve financial reporting transparency and accountability. The system was developed by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB), with support from the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). IPSAS-Accrual is adopted by over 80 countries and organisations, including the United Nations. The system is the gold-standard. It is believed to be the best accounting system globally.
Beyond migrating the accounting system, we have done a lot more, credit to the Governor, the government and great people of my State.
Let me add that, recently, Akwa Ibom State commenced the operation of a Treasury Single Account (TSA) for internally generated revenue. The Office of the Accountant General is the hub for the success of the TSA.
