Akintola Williams Biography: Career and Death.

Chief Akintola Williams (9 August 1919 – 11 September 2023) was a Nigerian accountant. He was the first Nigerian to qualify as a chartered accountant.

Early Life and Family.

Akintola Williams was born on August 9, 1919, in Lagos, Nigeria. He was born into an affluent family with generations working with white settlers and the government. His grandfather, Z. A. Williams, was a prosperous merchant and his father, Thomas Ekundayo Williams, was a clerk who worked for the colonial office before setting up his legal firm in Lagos.

He had two siblings: Frederick Rotimi Williams, who later became a distinguished lawyer, and the late Rev. James Kehinde Williams, a Christian minister.

Educational Background.

Akintola Williams had an extensive educational background. He began his education at Olowogbowo Methodist Primary School, Lagos Island, Lagos, in the early 1930s. He then attended the CMS Grammar School, Lagos.

He went on to Yaba Higher College on a UAC scholarship, obtaining a diploma in commerce. In 1944, he travelled to England where he studied at the University of London. Studying Banking and Finance, he graduated in 1946 with a Bachelor of Commerce.

After his graduation, he decided to train as a chartered accountant. He returned to England and enrolled at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. In 1950, he became the first African to qualify as a chartered accountant.

Career.

Akintola Williams had a groundbreaking career in accounting. After returning to Nigeria in 1950, Williams served with the Inland Revenue as an assessment officer until March 1952. He then left the civil service and founded his own company, Akintola Williams & Co. in Lagos.

His company was the first indigenous chartered accounting firm in Africa, challenging foreign dominance in the industry. At the time, the accountancy business was dominated by five large foreign firms. Although there were a few small local firms, they were certified rather than chartered accountants.

Williams gained business from indigenous companies including Nnamdi Azikiwe’s West African Pilot, K. O. Mbadiwe’s African Insurance Company, Fawehinmi Furniture, and Ojukwu Transport. The first partner in the firm was Charles S. Sankey, appointed in 1957. He was followed by the Cameroonian, Mr. Njoh Litumbe4. Litumbe opened branch offices in Port Harcourt and Enugu and later spearheaded overseas expansion.

In 1964, a branch was opened in Cameroons, followed by branches in Côte d’Ivoire and Swaziland, and affiliates in Ghana, Egypt, and Kenya. By March 1992, the company had 19 partners and 535 staff. Williams participated in founding the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. During his long career, he received many honours.

Hobbies and Side Businesses.

Akintola Williams was a philanthropist at heart, significantly supporting educational and healthcare initiatives. He was also a patron of the arts, notably founding the Music Society of Nigeria. He was known for his patience, his wisdom, and his generosity.

In terms of businesses, he founded his own accounting firm, Akintola Williams & Co., now Deloitte & Touche, in 1952 which became one of the largest and most successful accounting firms in Nigeria. He was a mentor to many young professionals, both inside and outside of his firm.

In his early days, Akintola Williams also engaged in socio-cultural activities. He was one of the founders of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa society when he was in London. The society had Dr. Oni Akerele as its President and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as Secretary.

Why is Akintola Williams Trending Today?

The late Akintola Williams, Nigeria’s first indigenous Chartered Accountant, is trending today because his funeral services have begun. His remains arrived at the Muson Center on Thursday morning for the burial. Many notable figures have been spotted at the venue for the funeral service. He will be laid to rest today.

What Valuable Advice Has Akintola Williams Given?

• The secret of my longevity is moderation. In everything I do, I strive to be moderate, and I mean moderate, a little of this and a little of that – not too much. Whether it is what you eat, what you drink, or whatever you do, just be moderate and you will live a refreshing, strong, and fulfilling life. When you are excessive in your daily life activities, you lose life and its fantastic quality. But when you keep it moderate, you will not only be in control but enjoy life abundantly. Also, you have to endeavour to live a simple life, avoid controversies, conflicts, over-ambition, just live a simple life and life will be your friend.
• Please always take enough rest. I always observe my siesta, sleep about eight hours every day, and generally have enough rest. Your body is your priceless possession, so, please do not abuse it, for if you do, you will lose it. And please, do not play with exercise – mental, physical, and spiritual. The three go hand in hand. I still do my studies and attend to professional matters referred to me. For once you stop exercising your brain, you die literally. I keep fit and I do not live a sedentary life.
• I would say a number of things made it possible for me. First, there were masters in the favorite subjects which eventually was necessary for my profession in accounting, namely, mathematics.

Age.

Akintola Williams was born on August 9, 1919, and passed away on September 11, 2023. Therefore, he was 104 years old at the time of his death.

Relationship Status.

Akintola Williams was married to Mabel Efuntiloye Williams for 60 years until her death in 2009. They had two children, Tokunbo and Seni. At the time of his death in 2023, he was widowed.

Cars and Houses.

As a respected professional and private individual, he did not share details about his personal assets such as his cars and houses. He was known for his contributions to the field of accounting and his philanthropic efforts rather than his personal possessions.

Aspirations.

Akintola Williams had several aspirations throughout his life.

• His primary aspiration was to excel in the field of accountancy, which he achieved by becoming the first African to qualify as a chartered accountant. He has motivated and mentored many young Nigerians who followed in his footsteps and became qualified chartered accountants in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
• He also aspired to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s financial sector. He played a significant role in founding the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. His aim was to train accountants and he served as the first president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
• He aspired to live a long, healthy, and fulfilling life. He believed in the principle of moderation in all aspects of life, whether it was what he ate, drank, or did. This philosophy guided him throughout his life and contributed to his longevity.
• He aspired to give back to society. He was a philanthropist and significantly supported educational and healthcare initiatives. He was also a patron of the arts, notably founding the Music Society of Nigeria.

Net Worth.

Akintola Williams’ net worth was estimated to be around $1.5 million as of 2022. Please note that this is an approximation, and his actual net worth may vary.

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