6th Annual International Academic Conference On Accounting And Finance

While it is my pleasure to welcome you all to the University of Ilorin, I must say I am equally elated and honoured to deliver the Keynote Address for this important 6th annual international academic conference on accounting and finance. It is a thing of joy to us at the University of Ilorin that this conference has brought academics and professionals across the length and breadth of our great nation, and even beyond, to Ilorin and onto our campus - a beautiful campus like no other. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me then to warmly appreciate the 56th President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria Dame Onome Joy Adewuyi, M.Sc., FCA and her team on the choice of University of Ilorin (the better by far University) as the co-host for the 2021 Annual International Academic Conference. I am aware that the theme of this conference is “Contemporary Issues in Accounting, Business and FinTech”. Given the need for business growth in a very competitive environment, I believe this theme is apt as it will bring insights into new business trends and several financial innovations to drive success. Similarly, the Findexable 2020 Global FinTech Ranking Index, which ranked Nigeria taking the 52nd position among 65 countries in the world, has shown that huge opportunities abound in the country, given that close to 40% of our population are unbanked. Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe the Lead Paper Presenter, Emeritus Professor Abhulimen R. Anao FCA in the field of Accounting, as well as other notable discussants, would bring to the fore the immense benefits of business innovation driven by technology; most of which appears to be disruptive in nature, but, at the same time, could offer huge job opportunities if an appropriate eco-system for financial technology is created, particularly in Nigeria where the talents of the country’s teeming unemployed youths can be harnessed. I also hope that our discussion at this conference will not neglect the issues surrounding the regulation of technology driven businesses, the use of artificial intelligence in fraud detection and risk management, the protection of intellectual property rights, cryptocurrency and the need for Universities to support tech entrepreneurs in closing skills gap through partnership. Let me assure you that the better by far University, the University of Ilorin, is known for its readiness in providing the necessary support for partnering businesses or corporate organisations in order to stimulate creativity and collaboration. We are also known for supporting tech-driven start-ups...