The 2025 edition of the EY Young Tax Professional of the Year (YTPY) competition reached an exhilarating climax as Korede Titiloye, a 400-level Accounting student of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), emerged the overall winner. His victory followed a highly competitive, multi-stage process that tested the intellectual strength and creativity of some of Nigeria’s brightest young talents.
Korede’s outstanding performance was celebrated as a demonstration of not only deep technical knowledge but also exceptional creativity and clarity in addressing complex global business challenges. Judges praised his ability to integrate analytical thinking with practical solutions, setting him apart from hundreds of participants.
The EY Young Tax Professional of the Year programme is a global initiative that seeks to identify and develop exceptional talent in taxation and business advisory. It targets undergraduate students in their penultimate and final years as well as young professionals with less than a year of internship experience at EY. Over the years, the initiative has become one of the most prestigious platforms for grooming future leaders in tax and business consulting.
In the Nigerian edition of the 2025 competition, participants were assessed on their technical proficiency, strategic reasoning, communication skills, and capacity for innovative thinking. The programme is designed to mirror real-world business scenarios, offering candidates a chance to showcase their competence in areas central to today’s fast-changing business environment.
During the award ceremony held at EY’s Lagos Office, Associate Partner and National Coordinator of the programme, Akeem Ogunseni, announced that this year’s competition attracted an impressive 585 applications from over 40 tertiary institutions nationwide. According to him, 374 candidates advanced beyond the preliminary screening, marking one of the strongest pools of applicants in recent years.
Ogunseni explained that the selection stages were intentionally rigorous to identify only the most outstanding performers. Candidates underwent psychometric tests, written submissions on topical business and taxation issues, and virtual presentations carefully designed to evaluate both intellectual depth and communication abilities.
He further revealed that at the semi-final stage, contestants were challenged with a complex case study requiring extensive research, strategic analysis, and multidisciplinary recommendations. From this stage, the top 10 candidates proceeded to the grand finale, where they presented their solutions before a distinguished panel of judges drawn from academia, industry, and professional practice.
Also speaking at the event, EY Tax Partner Temitope Samagbeyi delivered an inspiring message to the 10 finalists. He reminded them that emerging among the top 10 out of 585 applicants was a remarkable accomplishment that reflected their hard work and potential. He urged them to remain committed to excellence, noting that their performance had already placed them ahead of their peers.
Samagbeyi encouraged the finalists to continue investing in their professional growth, describing the competition as a stepping stone to greater opportunities. He emphasised that resilience, continuous learning, and strategic thinking would remain essential attributes throughout their careers.
When announced as the overall winner, Korede Titiloye expressed visible excitement and deep gratitude. He described the victory as a fulfilling moment, especially because taxation had once been a subject he struggled with. He recounted how he became a chartered accountant in early 2024 after self-studying to overcome an earlier failure in taxation, an experience that taught him resilience and self-belief.
Korede acknowledged the pivotal role EY played in creating a platform that challenges and uplifts young professionals. He extended appreciation to the organisers, the judges, and his fellow finalists, noting that the competitive environment pushed him to give his best. He described the experience as one that strengthened his confidence ahead of his budding career in finance and taxation.
As the 2025 national winner, Korede will represent EY Nigeria at the global edition of the YTPY competition. His prize package includes mentorship from senior EY professionals, internship opportunities with the EY Tax team, exclusive access to networking events, and career development support. Runners-up will also gain internship placements, branded gifts, and certificates of participation, while all finalists will enjoy exposure to valuable professional opportunities within the EY network.
The 2025 competition reinforces EY’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of business leaders. For Korede and other finalists, the event marks the beginning of a promising journey in the dynamic world of taxation, strategy, and global business advisory.
