The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has announced plans to share its 60 years of expertise with the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) to increase forensic accounting collaboration in Nigeria, reported the Guardian Nigeria.  

The development was confirmed during a visit by CIFCFIN representatives to ICAN’s headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos. 

CIFCFIN released a statement after the meeting, noting that ICAN president Yahaya Nma Haruna had outlined the institute’s readiness to offer guidance.  

Haruna indicated that ICAN wants to work alongside other professionals in the forensics sector, while acknowledging earlier reservations about extending cooperation. 

Haruna also said that ICAN’s forensic faculty could support CIFCFIN, given its established position in forensic accounting and auditing.  

He advised CIFCFIN to continue building links with other professional organisations to support the growth of the field.

In his remarks at the meeting, CIFCFIN governing council founder and chairman Iliyasu Gashinbaki called for regular engagement between the two bodies.

He said: “I commend ICAN leadership for maintaining and sustaining a high standard in the professional practice of accounting in the last 60 years. We want to collaborate with ICAN and tap from its several years of professional experience to strengthen our engagements.”

He stated that CIFCFIN’s Establishment Act does not affect ICAN’s main focus, clarifying that forensic accounting is one of 127 knowledge areas within forensics. 

Both organisations confirmed their willingness to maintain contact and work together to enhance forensic and fraud investigation practices across Nigeria.  

The meeting formed part of CIFCFIN’s broader approach of developing partnerships with ICAN and similar groups to help build a forensic and fraud investigation framework within the country.