14/08/2026
2026 Audit and Assurance Leadership Summit: Advancing Audit Integrity in the AI Era
Held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, the 2026 Audit and Assurance Leadership Summit brought together distinguished dignitaries, regulators, audit and assurance professionals, industry leaders and other key stakeholders to deliberate on the future of audit and assurance in an era of rapid technological change.
The Summit, themed “Audit Integrity in the AI Era: Independence, Accountability and Reliable Financial Reporting,” commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Rabiu Olowo, Executive Secretary/CEO, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), who emphasised the need to preserve audit integrity, professional judgement, independence and public trust as Artificial Intelligence continues to transform the audit and assurance profession. He noted that while AI presents significant opportunities to enhance audit quality and efficiency, its adoption must remain guided by strong governance, accountability and professional ethics.
The Summit was opened by Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, representing Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. It also featured goodwill messages from representatives of the Auditor-General for the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, Hajiya Queensley Sofuratu Seghosime, President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Ambassador Shuaibu Ahmed, FCA, Former Executive Secretary/CEO, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Mr. Sola Oyetayo, Group Financial Controller, Axela Limited, and other distinguished stakeholders.
The event featured two engaging panel sessions. Panel Session One, moderated by Anthony Amodu, Chief Revenue Officer, Pastel Africa, featured Mr. Emmanuel Akeni, Head, Systems Audit and Security Compliance, Credit Direct Finance Company Limited; Christopher Ogirri, Associate Director/Chief AI Officer, PwC; Oluwatobi Blessing Olayiwola, AI & Data Senior Manager, Deloitte & Touche; Dr. Adedoyin Talabi, Principal Consultant, Data Pulse Nigeria Limited; and Dr. Ivan Anya, CEO, Business Intelligence Technologies Ltd. The panel explored “AI and the Future of Audit Quality: Opportunities, Risks, and Regulatory Expectations,”with discussions centred on the responsible use of AI tools, data security and backups, professional judgement, and ensuring that technology does not compromise auditor independence.
Panel Session Two, moderated by Mr. Titus Osawe, Former Director, FRC-Nigeria, featured Sir Sunny Nwosu, National Leader Emeritus, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN); Jamiu Adeyemi Olakisan, Assurance Leader, EY West Africa; Ashade Akinyemi, Financial Services Industry, Audit Division, KPMG Nigeria; Kunle Oyetoyan, Finance and Corporate Reporting Regulatory Executive; Dr. Iheanyi Anyahara, Former Director, FRC Nigeria; and Ayoola Onabokun, Group Financial Controller, Axela Limited.The panel examined “Closing the Audit Expectation Gap: Restoring Public Trust and Strengthening Accountability,” focusing on the evolving responsibilities of auditors, transparency and accountability, and the need to strengthen confidence in the audit process and financial reporting.
The Summit reinforced the Financial Reporting Council commitment to strengthening audit quality, financial reporting, professional independence and public confidence in Nigeria’s assurance ecosystem, while ensuring that the profession continues to uphold the trust placed in it by the public.
