“AI and Automation Will Replace Accountants Who Refuse to Evolve” — Femi Adeoya Warns, As Nigeria Prepares for 2026 Tax Law Shake-Up
Nigeria’s business community is buzzing after a powerful and controversial statement issued by Femi Adeoya, Lead Consultant at Angle 360 Accounting Services and Principal Partner at Skytrend Consulting Ltd, one of Nigeria’s leading voices in accounting automation, software implementation, and business digitalisation.
Adeoya, a renowned accounting software expert who has trained thousands of professionals, implemented accounting solutions across industries, and successfully transitioned over 300 organisations from manual bookkeeping to digital accounting systems, has warned that the biggest threat to accountants in 2025 is not AI but “irrelevance”.
Speaking during a digital transformation briefing in Lagos, Adeoya stated emphatically: “AI and automation may not replace accountants but rest assured, accountants who use AI-driven tools and automation software for their work and business processes will replace those who don’t.
The world keeps evolving. From how we interact to how we do business, nearly every sector has felt the impact of AI and automation, and accounting is no exception.”
Recognised as one of Nigeria’s most influential accounting automation evangelists, Adeoya has been at the forefront of helping businesses prepare for the 2026 New Tax Law Era, guiding companies toward real-time reporting, digital compliance, and automated financial controls. His consulting work has empowered hundreds of business owners across Nigeria to migrate from error-prone manual systems to efficient, cloud-based, AI-supported solutions.
Automation as the Real Disruptor
In the briefing, Adeoya highlighted that automation is already taking over repetitive tasks such as bank reconciliations, invoice processing, financial reporting and analysis, Audited Financial Statements (AFS), data analysis, and compliance preparation tasks that traditionally consumed up to 60% of accountants’ time.
With decades of experience in accounting software implementation and professional training, Adeoya noted: “Automation is not coming, it is already here. It eliminates time-consuming manual tasks, allowing accountants to focus on what truly matters: financial strategy, business insights, tax planning, corporate governance, and decision support.
Research shows that while automation reduces routine workload, the demand for strategic accountants such as those who can interpret data, apply judgment, and guide businesses in strategic analysis is rising sharply.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s fast-approaching 2026 tax reforms will demand digital readiness:
“Businesses that refuse to digitalise will struggle with the new tax landscape. Compliance will be real-time, not manual. Automation and AI will be compulsory tools, not optional luxuries.”
A Career Defined by Digital Transformation
Adeoya’s resume speaks for itself.
Principal Partner, Skytrend Consulting Ltd
— A firm that has successfully onboarded more than 200 organisations from manual to fully automated accounting systems.
Lead Consultant, Angle 360 Accounting Services
— Providing accounting software implementation, training, internal control automation, compliance advisory, and digital transformation strategy to SMEs and large organisations.
Automation & Digitalisation Advocate
— Known for simplifying complex financial processes and inspiring business owners to adopt modern systems for speed, accuracy, and tax compliance.
Trainer & Educator
— As a management and finance consultant, he has trained accountants, CFOs, business owners, and finance teams across Nigeria in digital accounting tools such as QuickBooks, Sage, Zoho Books, and other automation platforms.
A Final Warning for the Profession
Adeoya concluded with a message that has reverberated across the industry:
“The future belongs to tech-enabled accountants. The accountant who understands automation will always outperform the one who doesn’t. AI is not a threat — stagnation is.”
Industry observers agree that Adeoya’s warning is timely, especially as Nigeria moves toward deeper digital compliance under the upcoming tax regime. His voice continues to shape the national conversation on the future of accounting, business digitalisation, and economic transformation.
