By Sola Alabadan
As part of efforts to effectively exploit the benefits of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),the Commissioner For Insurance, Sunday Thomas, inaugurated the Nigerian insurance industry committee on AfCFTA today.
This is in furtherance of the insurance operators’ resolve to ensure that they do not only respond appropriately to developments in the larger society, but to also ensure that the insurance operators are united in their responses to these developments.
AfCFTA was signed by 44 members of the African Union in 2018, to create a single market, deepening the economic integration of the continent,
establish a liberalised market through multiple rounds of negotiations,
aid the movement of capital and people, facilitating investment, among others.
Members of the committee are: Mrs. Ekeoma Esther Ezeibe (Chairman), Tunde Hassan-Odukale, Mrs. Funmi Ọmọ, and Mrs. Yetunde Ilori are representing the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Shola Ajibade (representative of Professional Reinsurers Association of Nigeria (PRAN), while Mr. Sina Elusakin, Mr. Eric Omozejele, Mrs. Bimbo Onakomaiya are representing
Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB).
Other members are: Bola Temowo, Pst. Ikechukwu Udobi, chief Lebi Omoboyowa are representing Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN) and Mr. Usman Jankara, Mr. Taiwo Adeoye, Mr. Ahmed Metteden are representing NAICOM, while Mr. Lanre Ojuola, representing NIA, is the Secretary.
The NAICOM boss said the terms of reference of the Committee include: To cordinate and articulate the Nigerian insurance industry’s response to the AfCFTA Agreement and its implementation.
They are also required to develop and ensure implementation of measures to ensure that the industry effectively exploits the benefits of AfCFTA, as well as develop and ensure implementation of measures to protect the Nigerian insurance industry from being negatively impacted by AfCFTA.
The committee is saddled with the responsibility to engage or liaise with relevant bodies and agencies such as the National Action Committee on AfCFTA, Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations on implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement and any such body.
Lead bilateral negotiations with any interested State Party regarding the Nigerian insurance sector.
Besides, they are expected to regularly consult with relevant stakeholders to ensure that positions or views canvassed are reflective of the interest of the Nigerian insurance industry.
Members of the committee are further mandated to attend relevant meetings, seminars, workshops, conferences, etc and articulate the Nigerian insurance industry’s views on AfCFTA, while equally submitting regular updates/reports regarding developments on AfCFTA and activities of the Committee to NAICOM.
