Pledges professionalism, accountability, mentorship for women accountants
By Golok Nanmwa, Jos
The Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), Jos Chapter, has invested SM Christina Olawunmi Bawa as its new Chairperson, with the new leader pledging to promote professionalism, accountability, mentorship and greater opportunities for women in the accountancy profession.
Bawa, who assumed leadership of the Jos Chapter at her investiture on Saturday, said her administration would focus on strengthening member engagement, continuous professional development, mentorship programmes, strategic partnerships, community impact initiatives and greater visibility for SWAN within the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and beyond.
She spoke at the investiture ceremony attended by professional accountants, members of SWAN, ICAN officials, representatives of sister professional organisations, family members and other guests.
Bawa said her assumption of office was not about status or personal recognition but an opportunity to serve and create platforms through which members, particularly younger female accountants, could grow and excel professionally.
She said, “As I assume this office, I do so with a clear understanding that leadership is not about status; it is about service. It is not about personal recognition but about creating opportunities for others to grow, succeed and thrive.”
According to her, the accountancy profession was evolving rapidly, requiring women accountants to continuously position themselves as professionals of excellence, integrity, innovation and relevance.
She stressed that women accountants had a responsibility not only to excel in their careers but also to mentor younger professionals, support one another, uphold high ethical standards and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and the nation.
Bawa said her administration would work towards building a chapter where every member would feel valued, heard and empowered, while young female accountants would have access to mentors capable of inspiring them to attain greater professional heights.
She added that experienced professionals would be encouraged to share their knowledge and experience with younger members as part of efforts to strengthen the profession and ensure continuity.
“We have a responsibility not only to excel in our careers but also to mentor younger professionals, support one another, uphold the highest ethical standards, and contribute meaningfully to the development of our communities and our nation,” she said.
The new SWAN Jos Chairperson also called for greater collaboration among members, urging them to replace competition with cooperation and isolation with fellowship.
“Let us replace competition with collaboration, isolation with fellowship, and limitations with possibilities.
Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant and more impactful SWAN Jos Chapter,” she said.
Bawa pledged to lead with humility, transparency, fairness and dedication, promising to listen to members and serve in the best interests of the chapter.
She said the core values of integrity, accountability, competence, excellence and objectivity must continue to guide members and define the image of the accountancy profession.
Speaking earlier, the outgoing Chairperson, Mrs Ruth Olanike Aina, said her administration deliberately expanded SWAN Jos Chapter’s activities beyond professional meetings to include advocacy, community service and outreach programmes aimed at supporting women and vulnerable people.
Aina disclosed that members visited the Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) Centre at Bingham University Teaching Hospital, where they encouraged women undergoing treatment and presented gifts as part of activities marking the 2025 International Women’s Day.
She said the chapter also carried out visits to orphanages in Plateau State, including Gidan-Kauna in Bassa Local Government Area in September 2023, the Jos Christian Refuge for Children Foundation in September 2024, and the Plateau State Orphanage in December 2025.
According to her, the initiatives were part of the chapter’s commitment to ensuring that the professional organisation also contributes positively to society and touches the lives of people outside the accounting profession.
Aina said the chapter also organised advocacy programmes around International Women’s Day, including sensitisation on issues such as the prevention of sexual harassment.
She explained that the community interventions were designed to demonstrate that professional excellence should be accompanied by compassion, social responsibility and a commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable people.
Aina, while presenting her valedictory address at the investiture, described her three-year tenure as a period of growth, increased membership, stronger welfare structures, professional visibility and community engagement.
She disclosed that the chapter’s membership grew from 25 to 43 members, with 33 members currently financial.
She said the chapter also sustained efforts to attract new members, particularly from the Jos Professional Tutor Study Centre, through the commitment of members and continued engagement with candidates during the May and November ICAN examination diets.
Aina said her administration recognised that a strong professional association must not only promote career advancement but also provide a support system for members and their families.
She disclosed that the chapter strengthened its welfare framework to support members during significant occasions, including weddings, milestone birthdays, bereavements, childbirth and other important family events.
Aina said the chapter’s achievements were not limited to internal activities, noting that her administration deliberately expanded SWAN’s visibility through advocacy, community service and strategic partnerships.
She said such engagements helped to strengthen the chapter’s professional network and institutional visibility.
Aina expressed appreciation to the national leadership of SWAN, ICAN District leadership, past chairpersons, members of the executive committee and all members for their support and cooperation throughout her tenure.
She particularly thanked SWAN members for their trust, participation, donations and payment of dues, saying their commitment contributed significantly to the achievements recorded by her administration.
Reflecting on her tenure, Aina said the accomplishments recorded were not the achievement of one person but the collective success of committed women who believed in the vision of SWAN and worked together to advance the chapter.
“Leadership is a continuous thing. It is like a relay game; when you finish, you hand over the baton to the next person. We are in the ship together; we shall have a safe landing,” she said.
Aina expressed confidence that the new leadership under Bawa would build on the foundation laid by her administration, consolidate the gains recorded and take SWAN Jos Chapter to greater heights.
Our correspondent reports that Bawa is an accomplished chartered accountant and an associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), with more than two decades of experience spanning finance, administration, corporate governance and strategic leadership.
Her professional career has seen her serve in senior financial positions, including Finance and Administration Manager at Oasis Distributions Limited, where she provided strategic financial leadership.
She has also served as Chief Accountant in several organisations and currently works as Project Accountant with SIM Nigeria, reflecting her experience across different areas of financial management and organisational leadership.
Born on May 30, 1975, Bawa has combined professional accountancy with entrepreneurship and leadership, bringing to her new role extensive experience in financial management, administration and strategic decision-making.
The investiture was attended by the 62nd ICAN President, Hajia Queenley Sofuratu Seghosime, SWAN National Chairperson, Mrs Blessing Osakwe-Ogo, as well as representatives of the Society of Women in Taxation,among others.