NSUK Don Urges Accounting Students to Prioritize Skill and Integrity Over Theory

Dr. Vincent Paul of the Department of Entrepreneurship Studies at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has called on newly admitted accounting students to transition from mere "ideas" to "practical experience" to succeed in the modern global economy.

Speaking at a departmental orientation programme on April 17, 2026, Dr. Paul delivered a keynote address titled "Passport to the Future: Turning Ideas into Experience," where he emphasized that academic knowledge is only valuable when applied.

To inspire the freshers, Dr. Paul highlighted the success story of Abdulrauf Zainab Morenikeji, an NSUK alumna who recently emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student with a near-perfect 4.90 CGPA. He noted that her excellence attracted significant rewards, including ₦1.5 million in startup capital from Governor Abdullahi Sule and other donors.

"Excellence attracts support, but only consistency sustains it," Dr. Paul remarked, noting that Zainab’s success was the result of disciplined study habits and late-night sessions in classrooms secured specifically for her by the faculty.

Dr. Paul outlined four critical pillars for the modern accounting student to navigate the precarious Nigerian job market:

Early Professional Certification: He urged students not to wait until graduation to begin exams for bodies like ICAN, ACCA, or ANAN.

Digital Proficiency: He stressed that manual accounting is a thing of the past, encouraging students to master software like SAP, QuickBooks, and data analytics.

Ethical Integrity: Reminding students that trust is the "currency" of the profession, he stated that transparency and accuracy are non-negotiable.

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Given the competitive job market, he advised students to view accounting as a tool for self-employment, suggesting roles as financial consultants and business advisors.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Paul challenged the students to move beyond "reading for reading’s sake." He reminded them that the future is determined not by what they know, but by what they can do with that knowledge.

"Translating ideas into action is at the heart of civilization," he said. "The future belongs to those who are willing to move beyond imagination and commit to execution."