By Sola Alabadan
The College of Insurance and Financial Management (CIFM) hosted the third edition of its Learning and Development Conference at the institute premises recently.
Themed Nurturing Excellence: Unlocking Human Potential through Effective Talent Management, the event underscored the critical role of professional development in driving organisational success.
The Conference brought together prominent industry leaders, including Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, the President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), among others.
In her address, Mrs. Ilori emphasised the importance of collaboration and feedback, calling for inputs on how the College could better serve the insurance industry in terms of learning and manpower development.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the College Board, Mr. Akinjide Orimolade, represented by Mrs. Arusiuka Adetutu, stressed the importance of equipping Learning and Development professionals with the skills needed for effective administration and leadership.
“As we navigate the complexities of our rapidly evolving landscape, it is clear that our people are our greatest assets. We will continue to engage in thought-provoking discussions, share best practices, and explore cutting-edge strategies for talent management. Let us work together to nurture excellence, unlock human potential, and drive success in our organisations,” he stated.
The Rector of the College, Dr. (Mrs.) Chizoba Ehiogu, highlighted the relevance of the conference theme.
She said “In an era of rapid technological advancements, dynamic workforce demands, and evolving business environments, continuous learning and development remain pivotal to personal and organisational success. This conference serves as an opportunity to exchange knowledge, explore innovative strategies, and foster collaborations that drive sustainable growth.”
She encouraged participants to actively engage, network, and leverage the insights shared, urging them to “challenge conventional thinking, embrace new perspectives, and work towards embedding a culture of learning in every organisation.”
The Guest Speaker, Dr. Afolabi Ajayi, a Management Consultant, emphasised the significance of training and development in sustaining industry growth. He noted that the future of work hinges on organisations’ ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent.
“Human Resources practitioners must address evolving workplace trends, including technology integration, office automation, diversity, compensation strategies, flexible work arrangements, remote collaboration, and cross-border engagement. Retention strategies must be customized to align with emerging talent needs,” Dr. Ajayi said.
Other notable speakers included Mrs. Chinenye Edward of Gracedge Limited, who discussed the impact of mentorship and coaching on employee development, engagement, retention, leadership, and productivity.
During an interactive session, Mrs. Oluyemisi Situ, Chartered Accountant and Consultant at CRL Business Solutions, emphasised that organisations must position themselves as employers of choice to drive optimal results. She noted that Human Resources professionals must strike the right balance between setting performance metrics and fostering mentorship to build high-performing teams that exceed stakeholders’ expectations.
The event also featured award presentations by the President, Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, to individual and corporates that supported and subscribed to the College’s training programmes during 2024 Financial Year. Miss Ekanem Oluwatomiwa, Stanbic IBTC Insurance, won the Outstanding L&D Personnel; while the Outstanding Trained L&D Organization went to AIICO Insurance Plc; Bancassurance Company of the Year went to Prudential Zenith Life; the Agency Company of the Year was received by Heirs Life Assurance Limited; and Leadway Assurance received the Valued Client Award.
