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WTO: 79 Countries Endorse Okonjo-Iweala’s Candidacy

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Agency Report

Nigeria ’s Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala voiced confidence on Friday in her quest to lead the crisis -wracked World Trade Organisation after all of Africa backed her candidacy , vowing she would champion reform .
“ I feel the wind behind my back , ” she told a virtual press briefing after the 55 -member African Union officially supported her over her sole remaining opponent , Yoo Myung -hee of South Korea .
Okonjo -Iweala said she was thrilled to learn that “ all African countries are getting behind me .”
According to her, a group of Caribbean and Pacific states had also said they would back her, bringing the number of countries officially endorsing her candidacy to 79 out of the 164 states that comprise the WTO .
She also said she felt “ optimistic ” about her support in Latin America , and said she felt she had gotten “ very good traction and good support ” in Asia so far.
“ I feel quite confident that across the regions , we will be able to attract ” support , Okonjo -Iweala added while hinting that the European Union was due to announce its preference of the last two candidates “ soon” .
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, assured Okonjo -Iweala during her visit to Aso Villa in Abuja that he would do all within his powers to ensure she gets the job .
The global trade body is set to be led by a woman for the first time whichever of the two candidates is successful in their bid to follow Roberto Azevedo, who stepped down as WTO director -general in August a year ahead of schedule .
Okonjo -Iweala , 66 , who served as Nigeria ’s first female finance and foreign minister and has a 25 -year career behind her as a development economist at the World Bank , said it would be good if WTO could also boast its first African leader .
“ If that person is African and a woman , I think that is great . Because … neither an African nor a woman has led the organisation , ” she said.
But at a time when the WTO is engulfed by multiple crises, she stressed that the new chief must above all be highly skilled in political and diplomatic negotiations , as well as at the managerial level .
“ The WTO at this time with the challenges it confronts needs a very competent Director General who is able to have the political reach and stature to be able to do reforms and deal at very high levels .
“ It is not only having those skills but having them all meet in one person at this juncture when the WTO needs that ,” she said .
Even before the Covid- 19 crisis hit, the WTO was already grappling with stalled trade talks and struggling to curb tensions between the United States and China .
The global trade body has also faced relentless attacks from Washington , which has crippled the WTO dispute settlement appeal system and threatened to leave the organisation altogether .
Okonjo -Iweala said she had broad experience in championing reform and was the right person to help put the WTO back on track.
“ I am a reform candidate and I think the WTO needs the reform credentials and skills now . ”
The initial pool of eight candidates for the WTO ’s top post , which has been whittled down over two rounds of consultations , had included three Africans , and the AU had until now refrained from offering an official endorsement .
The third and final round of consultations seeking to establish consensus around one candidate is due to begin next week and end on October 27 , with the announcement due in early November .

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IMT 2025 Edition Names Former McKinsey Partner As Speaker

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By Sola Alabadan

The fourth edition of Insurance Meets Tech (IMT), a conference focusing on the convergence of insurance and technology, is scheduled to hold on September 11 in Lagos.
With the theme, “Innovating for the New Trybe,” IMT 4.0 will convene stakeholders across the financial, tech, and creative ecosystems, redefining how insurance meets digital innovation, lifestyle, and Africa’s future economy. This year’s edition will once again deliver a powerful dual-experience format:
IMT 4.0, the flagship C-suite and policy-focused discourse
IMT Redefined 2.0, the youth-forward segment exploring the convergence of insurance, culture, and innovation.
The 2025 headline speaker is Per Lagerström, a global thought leader, an insurtech innovator, financial expert, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience across financial services, technology, FMCG, and strategy consulting. A former Partner at McKinsey & Company, he founded BehaviorTech, a groundbreaking field that merges behavioural science, AI, and innovation to deliver transformative outcomes for people, businesses, and society.
As CEO of Yellowspot, an Ireland-based venture studio, he leads the development of disruptive ventures focused on financial planning, education, longevity, and human-centred digital transformation. Known for navigating complexity with clarity, Per has advised boards and executives across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. His work is driven by an unrelenting passion for unlocking potential at the intersection of science, technology, and human insight.
Odion Aleobua, Convener of IMT and CEO of Modion Communications, expressed his delight ahead of the event. “We are incredibly honoured to welcome Per Lagerström to Lagos, Nigeria for IMT 4.0. His experience at the cutting edge of behaviour-tech research, an astute financial guru and huge insight into insurtech innovation align with the conversations we drive at this year’s conference. IMT is about the future of protection for a new generation, and we are convening voices and celebrating ideas that matter.”
IMT 4.0 will also continue to explore the role of predictive technology, embedded insurance, disruptive underwriting, and inclusive innovation. With engaging panels, immersive workshops, product demos, and youth-led showcases, the event promises actionable insights and bold ideas for building relevance in a shifting risk landscape.
Commenting, Per Lagerström stated, “Financial services are undergoing rapid and fundamental change, driven by AI inflection and BehaviorTech advances, blurring industry boundaries and shifting consumer behaviours. The result places incumbent business models under tremendous pressure and create unrivaled opportunities for growth and value creation. I am excited to join the year’s edition of IMT to unpack the forces at work and share my playbook for navigating these extraordinary times.”
IMT 4.0 proudly announces an early strategic partner powering this year’s event. CubeCover, one of Nigeria’s leading insurtech and microinsurance providers, comes aboard as a proud Gold Sponsor, racing ahead as early co-travelers for this year’s edition.
To register for IMT 2025, visit www.insurancemeetstech.com. For inquiries, contact Odion at +234 902 222 2226.
About Insurance Meets Tech (IMT)
The Insurance Meets Tech (IMT) Conference is one of West Africa’s leading platforms for exploring the future of insurance through the lens of technology, innovation, and culture.
In its fourth year, IMT offers a robust, multi-stakeholder, two-pronged experience featuring IMT 4.0, focused on C-suite insights, and IMT Redefined, a dynamic youth engagement segment inspired by innovation, lifestyle and creativity. IMT is curated by Modion Communications, one of Africa’s most celebrated young Public Relations consultancies.

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SanlamAllianz Organises Roadshow To Deepen Insurance Awareness

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By Sola Alabadan

SanlamAllianz, formed from the merger of Allianz and Sanlam, will begin 12-city nationwide roadshow on June 23, following the brand’s recent official introduction to the Nigerian market.
The campaign, which will take place in Lagos, Ibadan, Akure, Warri, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri, Kano, Jos, and Abuja, is part of the company’s strategic effort to deepen customer engagement, and raise awareness about the brand and insurance.
It is also intended to demonstrate the company’s commitment to making wealth creation and financial protection capabilities more accessible to individuals and businesses in the country.
Speaking on this initiative, Tunde Mimiko, MD/CEO of SanlamAllianz Life Insurance, said: “This nationwide campaign signals the scale of our ambition and the depth of our commitment to the Nigerian market. At the heart of insurance is trust, and trust begins with presence. Reaching customers where they are is fundamental to how we are building SanlamAllianz.
“This roadshow is a strategic move to bridge the gap between perception and reality, allowing us to engage directly with our customers and Nigerians in general, challenge long-held misconceptions, and position insurance as a practical tool for thriving in financial confidence, building resilience and long-term financial security.”
As part of the roadshow, SanlamAllianz will hold customer engagement forums in each of the 12 cities. The in-person sessions allow customers to interact directly with the company’s leadership and frontline teams. The forums aim to reconnect with customers under the unified brand and reaffirm its long-term commitment to the local market.
“Insurance only becomes relevant when it is understood, trusted, and connected to the realities people face,” said Yomi Onifade, MD/CEO of SanlamAllianz General Insurance.
“These forums are our way of reintroducing SanlamAllianz not just as a merged entity, but as a unified brand committed to showing up for Nigerians. We are creating a platform for real conversations — to listen, address concerns, and deepen understanding. This is how SanlamAllianz intends to lead, by listening actively, showing up with solutions, and shaping a future where insurance is truly embedded in the fabric of everyday Nigerian life,” he added.
By adopting a city-by-city physical rollout, SanlamAllianz Nigeria is positioning itself as one of the few players actively investing in deeper grassroots engagement toward deepening insurance penetration in Nigeria.

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NAICOM, OHCSF Move To Ensure Workers Benefit From Group Life Assurance

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By Sola Alabadan

In order to equip civil servants with knowledge and tools to effectively manage and benefit from the Group Life Assurance Policy, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) recently organised a capacity-building workshop on the compulsory insurance policy in Abuja.

Section 9(3) of the Pension Reform Act 2014 mandates employers to maintain a Group Life Assurance policy for their employees, with a benefit of at least three times the employee’s annual total emolument.

The workshop brought together stakeholders from government ministries, departments, and agencies to enhance understanding and implementation of the policy.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, represented by Mrs. Oyekunle Patience, emphasised the importance of insurance in safeguarding public servants’ welfare and ensuring financial security for their families. She commended President Bola Tinubu for renewing the annuity policy and applauded NAICOM for initiating the training.

The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, represented by Mr. Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon, Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration, expressed appreciation for the collaboration and assured participants of NAICOM’s commitment to transparency and accountability in policy implementation.

The workshop aimed to equip civil servants with knowledge and tools to effectively manage and benefit from the Group Life Assurance Policy, a critical component of the Federal Government’s welfare package.
The event marked a significant step in strengthening life insurance policy implementation across the federal civil service, reinforcing the government’s dedication to employee well-being.

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