…laud his contributions to accounting profession
A gathering of distinguished academics, professionals, and political leaders on Friday converged in Abuja for the public presentation of the book entitled Financial Accounting: Theory and Practice. The book is a seminal new work authored by Professor of Accounting at Nile University of Nigeria, Prof. Mathias Ugwudioha Ofili.
The event which was chaired by a former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and ex-Minister of Water Resources , Alhaji Muktar Shagari drew dignitaries from across Nigeria’s political, academic and business circles.
Speaking, the Chairman of the occasion described Prof. Ofili as “a man of intellectual excellence and a mentor who has contributed immensely to the development of accounting education in Nigeria.”
Also at the event were former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ex-Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, representatives of professional bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) and several university lecturers.
Notable amongst University dons were the Deputy Vice Chancellor Central Administration, Prof. A. Prema Kirubakaran Nile University and the Dean of Management Sciences, Prof May Nwokoye (MON).
Speaking further, Alh. Muktar Shagari, commended Prof. Ofili for his unwavering commitment to education, noting that his new book would “serve as a vital resource for students, researchers, and practitioners seeking clarity on both the theory and practice of financial accounting.”
While lauding the author’s scholarly discipline, the Chairman noted: “in an era where financial transparency and accountability are national imperatives, works like this help in building the ethical and professional foundation of the next generation of accountants.”
In his goodwill message, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo praised Prof. Ofili’s intellectual contributions and long-standing record of mentorship.
“Prof. Ofili has devoted his life to the advancement of knowledge,” Nwodo said.
He continued: “This book is not only an academic milestone but a legacy that will outlive him. His ability to merge rigorous theory with practical insight sets him apart in the academic world.”
On his part, the Secretary General of FOSAD, Dr Uzor Ngoladi who served as Chairman of Book Launch Planning Committee in his citation described Ofili as, “a prolific writer and an accomplished author with ten books to his credit in Accounting, Finance and Economics.”
In his remarks, Prof. Ofili expressed gratitude to God, his family, colleagues and management of Nile University for their support and encouragement.
He explained that the book, co-authored by distinguished scholars, Ayogu Sunday Eze and Bolaji Adeleke Danjuma, was written to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world accounting experience and application.
“The goal of this book,” Prof Ofili said, “is to simplify complex accounting principles, align Nigerian practice with international standards, and provide a holistic guide to both students and professionals. Accounting, at its core, is about truth, transparency, and stewardship — values that our nation needs more than ever.”
Several other guests in their separate remarks described the publication as “a timely contribution” to the country’s accounting literature. They noted that Prof. Ofili’s work reinforces the relevance of ethical financial reporting in public and private sectors, especially in an era of economic transformation.
Other attendees, while commending the author’s long career as a teacher, researcher, and administrator, credited him with mentoring dozens of professionals who are now occupying leading roles in the academia as well as business, and public finance.
Highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the book, which experts hailed as a “must-read” for accounting students and practitioners.
The Book Launch Planning Committee had Dr Uzor Ngoladi as Chairman, Dr Kolawole Ebire; Secretary, while Barrister Okey Okwuego, Barrister Vincent Obetta, Dr Chris Nwachukwu, Ejimofor Okorafor Nwosu, James Ezeokeh and Pius Okeoma served as members.
