Idorenyin William Emerges CITN's 1st Female Chairman

Priscilla Akpanettot 

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Uyo and District Society now has a female Chairman overseeing it affairs for the first time after 5 governing tenures. She is Deaconess Idorenyin Charles William, FCTI.

The 6th Chairman was on Saturday, October 25, 2025 celebrated grandly during the Institution's 6th Investiture at Jacksville Events Place in Uyo, amidst encomiums from members of the Institute.

Mrs Williams, FCTI, was inducted into the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) in 2006 and was conferred the prestigious Fellow of the Institute (FCTI) in 2014.

According to her profile, she has served the Uyo and District Society of CITN, as Deputy Vice Chairman and Vice Chairman, where she distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism, and commitment to the Institute’s ideals.

In 2022, Deaconess Williams was appointed the pioneer Coordinator of the Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, where she served with great passion, promoting the empowerment and advancement of women in the profession.

Beyond CITN, she is a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN); an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Certified Fraud Examiners of Nigeria (CIFCFEN), and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) — a testament to her multi-disciplinary expertise and leadership in Nigeria’s financial and professional sectors.

In her acceptance speech, Deaconess William pledged to lead a collaborative administration that will promote professional excellence while contributing to economic growth and sustainable development in Akwa Ibom State. She emphasized partnerships with government, private sector and other stakeholders to advance sound tax practice and administration.

She also urged members to support the new executive with their time, expertise and resources, noting that leadership success depends on shared commitment.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) and co-host of the event, Sir. Okon Okon, FCTI commended the Chairman's proven record of diligent service and expressed confidence in her capacity to elevate the District. 

Representing CITN's President and Chairman of Council, Mr. Innocent Ohagwa, FCTI; Sir Okon admonished all tax professionals on the need to embrace the newly enacted tax reform Acts by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in June 2025, saying that the reforms seek to broaden the tax base, simplify compliance, enhance transparency and strengthen the fiscal link between taxation and governance.

"Tax professionals must now demonstrate stronger technical competence, ethical judgment and advisory depth in guiding taxpayers, businesses and stakeholders through this transition".

This is why Council attaches the highest importance to ensuring that governance at the district level is guided by quality leadership" he said.

In his valedictory speech, the outgoing Chairman of the Institute, Elder Godwin Owonam, FCTI said he was bowing out with confidence in the leadership succeeding him.

He charged the incoming Chairman and her team to build on the gains his team made, while upholding professionalism, ethics and fair-play.

Similarly, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Oto-Obong Uwah, FCA, described Mrs William's emergence as the harvest of years of hard work and dedication to the ideals of the Institute.

A keynote paper on “Contemporary Issues in the Nigerian Tax Act 2025: A Critique” was delivered by Mr. Ide Owodiong-Idemeko, who highlighted implementation gaps, compliance issues and the need for reform, digitization and capacity building.

Goodwill messages were received from stakeholders within and outside the Tax environment, including the Accountant-General of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Andrew Essien.

A major highlight of the event was the decoration of Mrs. William as 6th Chairman of the Institute as well as cutting of the Investiture cake.

Mrs. William's 2-year tenure has Deaconess Stella Effiong, FCTI as Vice Chairman; Mr Victor Ekpo, FCTI, Deputy Vice Chairman; Barr Mfon Udosen, ACTI, General Secretary; Mr Ubong Akpan, ACTI, Assistant General Secretary; Mrs Uduakobong Ukpe, FCTI, Honourary Treasurer; Ms Esther David, ACTI, Financial Secretary; Mr Ime Ekpoikong, ACTI, Membership Secretary; Mrs Ekemini Effiong, ACTI, Technical Secretary; Mrs Itoro Akpan, ACTI, Social/Publicity Secretary.

Others are: Barr Inyene Ibe-Bassey, ACTI - Legal Adviser; Sir Okon Okon, FCTI - Ex-officio and Dr Emmanuel Akpan, ACTI - Ex-officio.