Akintola was the country’s first indigenous chartered accountant, who pioneered Nigeria’s accounting profession. Born in 1919, he was instrumental in developing the country’s financial sector. The renowned accountant studied accounting at the University of London & qualified as a chartered accountant in 1947. He returned to Nigeria and later set up his accounting firm, Akintola Williams & Co., now Deloitte & Touche, in 1952. Williams was also a strong advocate for developing the accounting profession in Nigeria. He was a founding member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) & was president from 1963 to 1965. He was also a member of the National Board of Accountants & Auditors. Williams received many awards & honours, including the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).