Ernest & Young Reaffirms Commitment to Grooming Tax Leaders

*Winners emerge in 2024 YTPY competition

James Emejo in Abuja

Global tax consulting firm, Ernest & Young (EY), has reaffirmed its commitment to grooming and mentoring students of higher institutions of learning in taxation.
In line with its vision, the firm introduced the ‘Young Tax Professional of the Year’ (YTPY) competition 13 years ago across all its offices globally.

EY Nigeria also introduced the programme three years ago, primarily to identify key talents, as well as groom the next generation of leaders in the tax profession from pen-ultimate and final year students in tertiary institutions across the 36 states of the federation, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The 2024 edition of the competition had 425 applications, drawn from 53 tertiary institutions across the country after a rigorous selection process at different stages of the programme.
A total of 274 applications were shortlisted after undergoing logical and quantitative reasoning skills assessment, research, article writing, and case studies, out of which 57 competitors emerged during the quarter-final stage, and 30 at the semi-final.

Ultimately, Miss Uyodhu Agadaga, a final year student at Nile University, Abuja, was crowned the overall winner, out of the 10 gladiators who made it to the final stage.
The first and second runners-up positions went to Kolawole Olaniyan and Nahomi Okikiri, both of whom are coincidentally students of the University of Lagos.

Following the presentation of findings to an independent panel of assessors, these finalists were invited to the EY Nigeria office in Lagos for the grand finale to receive awards and presentation of certificates and gifts.
Moreover, Uyodhu will represent EY Nigeria at the global level, where she will meet and compete with other winners drawn from EY offices across geographies.

All the 10 finalists will also have the opportunity to undergo internship and mentorship programmes with EY Nigeria
Speaking during the presentation of award certificates and gifts to the top finalists in Lagos, Associate Partner in Tax Services/Director of the Programme, Akeem Ogunseni, said the primary focus of the competition was to “catch the students who have a keen interest in taxation”.
He added that eight pillars of selection were deployed in testing the contestants, benchmarked against international standards.

Congratulating the 10 finalists, Partner/EY Tax Leader for West Africa, Akinbiyi Abudu, said it was an exciting moment for the students who had put their hearts and souls into the competition, adding that the competition was all about grooming the next generation of leaders in the tax profession, who will take over from the present crop of tax leaders in the future.