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Industry Thought Leaders Chart Growth Path For Insurance Industry

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The Insurance Meets Tech (IMT) 4.0 Conference held recently in Lagos, themed “Innovating for the New Trybe” and highlighted the role of technology in transforming the Nigerian insurance sector.
Discussions at the conference also centred, among other things, on how to bridge traditional insurance structures with emerging, technology-driven solutions, emphasising digital adoption, innovation, and client-centred experiences.    
Leading an Executive Dialogue to discuss the Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025, recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was the Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of NAICOM, Mr Olusegun Omosehin, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance (Finance & Administration), Mr Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon.
Omosehin stated that the NIIRA 2025, signed into law in July 2025, will foster economic growth by transforming the sector through increased capital, stronger policyholder protection via a Policyholder Protection Fund, digitalisation, microinsurance promotion, and alignment with global best practices.
“The Act is a warm piece of legislation that provides the blueprint to reset the industry”, he said. “This Act bridges the gap between what family and friends traditionally provide and what insurance should guarantee. Nigerians can now be confident that when something goes wrong, insurance will deliver,” he explained.
Omosehin highlighted that NIIRA’s recapitalisation will increase insurers’ capacity to handle risks and retain local businesses, contributing to the nation’s vision of a one trillion dollar economy.
The Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Kunle Ahmed, who is also the MD/CEO of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, said, “NIIRA 2025 represents a bold step toward strengthening the regulatory framework, enhancing public trust, improving market penetration, and modernising operations within the industry. It reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening financial inclusion and ensuring that insurance becomes a robust pillar in Nigeria’s economic framework, in line with the President’s vision for achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
“This is not just a legislative victory; it is a shared mission. NIA stands ready to champion a more resilient and customer-centric insurance sector that contributes meaningfully to national development.”
In her contribution to the discourse on NIIRA 2025, the President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mrs Yetunde Ilori, said, “The insurance industry is set for unprecedented transformation following the signing of the Act.
“It introduced critical measures such as stringent capital requirements to ensure the financial soundness of operators, enforcement of compulsory insurance policies to enhance consumer protection, digitisation of the insurance market to improve access and efficiency, zero tolerance for delays in claims settlement, creation of dedicated policyholder protection funds, especially in cases of insolvency, and expanded participation in regional insurance schemes, including the ECOWAS Brown Card System.
The President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, Prince Babatunde Oguntade, who was represented at the conference by Mr. Peter Offiong, Assistant General Manager at Scib Nigeria & Co. Ltd, while stressing the need for immediate implementation of the Act, highlighted NIIRA’s provisions on compulsory insurance, emphasising that digital platforms and collaboration with state agencies will support enforcement.
He emphasised that brokers remain central to the ecosystem. “Brokers will evolve into digitally empowered advisers who offer customised, transparent services. The Act safeguards their relevance while ensuring consumer adoption of compulsory insurance,” he said.
Tunde Mimiko, Managing Director, SanlamAllianz Life Insurance, whose organisation was IMT 4.0’s Official Insurer, stressed the need for the industry to build systems that move beyond legacy bottlenecks, strengthen compliance, and foster greater trust with policyholders. He emphasised that such developments are crucial for safeguarding customers and positioning insurance as a key driver of financial security and sustainable growth in Nigeria.
The Managing Director, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Stephen Alangbo, emphasised the company’s role as an Innovation Partner, focusing on digital transformation, customer-centric solutions, and the use of Insurtech to shape the future of inclusive coverage in Africa.
He highlighted Cornerstone’s commitment to leveraging technology and developing innovative products to meet dynamic market needs, as outlined in their strategy for leading the African insurance industry.  
The event also featured global thought leadership and the conference’s Headline Speaker, Per Lagerström, a former McKinsey partner and the CEO of Yellowspot. He challenged Nigerian insurers to rethink their models, emphasising the human element in innovation. “Insurance is not built on products alone; it is built on behaviour. If we do not understand how people earn, live, and dream, we cannot design solutions they will embrace. Technology gives us the tools, but human insight gives us the answers.”
In his opening remarks, the convener of the IMT Conference and the Managing Director/CEO of Modion Communications, Mr. Odion Aleobua, called on insurance innovators to build distribution that meets people where they are: online, on mobile, at work, and in communities, while conforming to evolving lifestyles. He called on regulators to adopt regulations that protect consumers without stifling industry innovation.
He also noted that the high calibre of sponsors, participants, and partners, including the Commissioner for Insurance, regulators, and industry leaders, reflected a collective commitment to shaping a future of innovation and digital adoption within the Nigerian insurance industry.
Others who spoke at the conference included Mrs Abimbola Anakomaiya, President, Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA); Mr Bode Pedro, MD/CEO, Casava Inc; Mr. Olalekan Oyinlade, MD/CEO, emPLE General Insurance; Mr. Deji Macaulay, CEO and Co-founder, CubeCover; Mr. Nelson Ekerele, MD/CEO, Enterprise Life Assurance Limited; Ms Adetola Adegbayi, Founder, Mutual Specialists; Uche Ayodele, Founder and CEO, FastClaim Solutions Limited; Nkiruka Okere, General Manager of aYo, Nigeria; Ayo-Bankole Akintujoye, CEO of Caladium Consulting and Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, Founder and CEO of Nairamatrics among other who participated in the Redefined 2.0, the youth segment.
 

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NAICOM, ARIAN Move To Protect Insurance Consumers

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The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the enforcement of the NIIRA 2025 framework and protecting Nigerian insurance consumers from unauthorised and predatory practices.

This position was emphasised when the leadership of the Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN), led by its President, Mr. Olatubosun Mayowa, paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, at the Commission’s headquarters on Friday in Abuja.

NAICOM underscored its resolve to uphold regulatory standards and sanitise the insurance market through firm and coordinated enforcement actions. The Commission reiterated that safeguarding consumers and preserving market integrity remain central to its mandate.

In his remarks, the ARIAN President expressed the Association’s commitment to supporting NAICOM’s regulatory and enforcement initiatives. He noted that ARIAN’s grassroots presence across the country positions it to provide credible market intelligence, enhance consumer protection, and support the identification and removal of unscrupulous operators.

As part of the outcomes of the engagement, NAICOM expressed commitment to implement immediate and coordinated enforcement measures to address persistent market abuses, including unlawful rate-cutting, misrepresentation, and the mis-selling of insurance products by unlicensed entities. The CFI emphasized that such practices undermine consumer confidence and the stability of the insurance sector.

The CFI further highlighted the importance of strengthening distribution channels through proper licensing and compliance. In this regard, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to capacity building for insurance agents and enhanced digital onboarding processes. The President of ARIAN also pledged to intensify its training programmes to increase the number of duly licensed agents and assist members experiencing challenges with NAICOM’s digital platforms.

To enhance public awareness, Mr. Omosehin said the Commission will lead joint media and consumer education initiatives aimed at enabling Nigerians to identify genuine motor insurance policies, verify licensed insurers, and report suspected fraud or mis-selling through official channels. Both organizations agreed to sustain regular operational engagement and periodic reviews to ensure effective implementation of agreed actions.

The CFI reiterated the Commission’s broader policy direction of promoting healthy and transparent distribution networks as a means of encouraging legitimate participation in the market and deepening insurance penetration nationwide.

The Commissioner for Insurance stressed that the Commission will act decisively against any form of infraction, noting that unlicensed entities must not purport to underwrite regulated insurance products. He affirmed that NAICOM will deploy the full weight of its regulatory and legal authority to protect consumers and uphold the integrity of the insurance industry.

He further urged the public to remain vigilant by verifying that insurers are duly licensed by NAICOM, carefully reviewing policy documents and agent credentials, and promptly reporting suspicious activities including unauthorized sellers, forged documents, or unusually low premiums through NAICOM’s official complaint channels.

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NAICOM, Police Partner On NIIRA Implementation

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The Management of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), led by the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, met today in Abuja with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, to discuss strategies for deepening collaboration on the implementation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 and its accompanying reforms.

The meeting centered on joint efforts to strengthen compliance across the insurance sector and ensure robust protection for policyholders nationwide. Both parties agreed that effective partnership is critical to building public trust, curbing illegal insurance practices, and enhancing service delivery within the industry.

Speaking at the session, the Commissioner for Insurance emphasized that NIIRA 2025 was enacted to modernize Nigeria’s insurance landscape, promote transparency, and safeguard the interests of millions of Nigerians who rely on insurance for financial security. He stressed that NAICOM cannot achieve full compliance and market discipline without the active support of law enforcement agencies.

In his response, the Inspector General of Police reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to partner with NAICOM in tackling fraudulent activities, unauthorized insurance operations, and other violations of insurance laws. He assured that the Police will provide the necessary operational and legal backing to ensure offenders are brought to justice and policyholders’ rights are fully protected.

This strategic collaboration marks a significant step toward restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s insurance industry and ensuring safer, more transparent financial protection for citizens.

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Sovereign Trust Insurance To Raise N5bn Through Rights Issue

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Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc has completed the structuring phase of its planned N5 billion Rights Issue capital raise marking a key milestone ahead of its recapitalisation plan, in line with the Nigerian Insurance Industry Recapitalisation Act, NIIRA.

The underwriting firm disclosed this at the signing ceremony of all related parties to the Rights Issue at its Corporate Head Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The signing ceremony signals the effective conclusion of all internal processes and professional engagements required for the Rights Issue.

With the structuring phase now concluded, the shareholders of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc will have the opportunity to pick up their rights totaling 2,510,848,144 units, (two billion, five hundred and ten million, eight hundred and forty-eight thousand, one hundred and forty-four units) ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N2.00 per share on the basis of 3 new ordinary shares.

In the same vein, the management has enjoined all shareholders of the company to take advantage of this unique opportunity by maximally taking up their rights in the Rights Issue with a view to increasing their stake in the company and as well grow their wealth in the very near future as the company is poised to moving on to the next phase of its growth stage as NIIRA signals a new direction for the insurance industry in the country.

Dr. Lucas Durojaiye, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign Trust, said the management of the company has set a growth agenda which is aimed at positioning the underwriting firm as one of the top five in the insurance industry in Nigeria. The Managing Director’s appeal to Shareholders of the company was unequivocal. “In achieving this aspiration, we have identified that a very robust capital base is critical to the success of the set agenda; hence the need to call on our Shareholders to fully exercise their rights by subscribing fully to the Rights Issue and ultimately grow their investments in the company”.

He said, Sovereign Trust Insurance is working assiduously towards being one of the most preferred Insurance companies in the country for people to do business with, invest in as well as be the choice Employer of Labour in the years ahead.

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