As Nigeria edges closer to the implementation of its 2026 tax reforms, one of the nation’s foremost automation and digital accounting experts, Femi Adeoya, has issued a stern warning: “AI and automation will not replace accountants, but accountants who refuse to modernise will be pushed aside by those who embrace these technologies.”
Adeoya, Lead Consultant at Angle 360 Accounting Services and Principal Partner at Skytrend Consulting Ltd, made the remark during a digital readiness stakeholders’ session in Lagos.
With a track record that includes transitioning over 200 organisations from manual bookkeeping to automated accounting systems, Adeoya is widely respected for his influence in accounting software implementation, automation strategy, and business digitalisation across Nigeria.
A Voice at The Frontline of Digital Transformation
For more than two decades, Adeoya has played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s shift toward digital compliance and automated finance functions. Through Skytrend Consulting Ltd and the newly formed Angle 360 Accounting Services.
Speaking at the event, Adeoya said the accounting industry must face a difficult truth:
“AI and automation are now doing in seconds what manual accounting teams used to do in days. But this is not the end of the accountant, it is the end of accountants who refuse to evolve. The world is not waiting for anyone. Businesses need speed, accuracy, compliance, and insight. Automation provides all of that on demand.”
A New Tax Era Requiring Digital Preparedness
Adeoya warned that many businesses may fall behind if they do not adopt modern accounting platforms ahead of the 2026 tax reforms:
“The new tax era will demand real-time reporting, automated reconciliation, digital audit trails, and accurate analytics. Manual systems cannot survive that environment.”
He stressed that automation is not merely a trend but a strategic requirement for competitiveness, especially as regulators adopt data-driven methods to monitor compliance and detect discrepancies.
Accountants Must Evolve Beyond Bookkeeping
Adeoya argued that AI is shifting the role of accountants from routine work to strategic contribution:
“Tasks like data entry, reptitive invoicing, bank reconciliation, and basic compliance are now being taken over by intelligent systems. What the market needs are accountants who can analyse, interpret, forecast, guide leadership, and support business decisions with deep insight.”
He maintained that automation cannot replace critical thinking, ethical judgment, contextual understanding, or strategic business advisory but opined these are skills only humans can provide.
The Man Behind Nigeria’s Accounting Automation Movement
Under Adeoya’s leadership, Skytrend Consulting Ltd has emerged as a national force in digital accounting migration. The firm has:
Onboarded 200+ businesses from manual to automated systems
Launched cutting-edge training and certification programmes for accountants
Supported businesses transitioning toward automated tax compliance
Helped entrepreneurs adopt cloud-based financial platforms with integrated analytics
Industry analysts say Adeoya’s contributions place him among the most influential voices shaping Nigeria’s digital finance landscape.
A Final Word: Adapt or Fade Out
Adeoya ended his session with a blunt reminder:
“Automation is not the enemy. The enemy is refusal to adapt. In 2025 and beyond, the most valuable accountants will be those who are digitally empowered and automation-driven.”
As Nigerian businesses navigate rising competition and looming tax reforms, Adeoya’s message continues to resonate: the future of accounting belongs to those bold enough to embrace technology.
