Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has inaugurated two new Technical Committees; the Agricultural Insurance Technical Committee and the Reinsurance Technical Committee, as part of efforts to strengthen technical expertise, promote best practices, and build capacity in these specialized areas of insurance and across the industry.
Following the inauguration of the new committees, the NIA now has a total of 16 Technical Committees.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Director-General of the NIA, Mrs. Bola Odukale, described the Association’s technical committees as an essential platform for advancing the industry. She explained that the two new committees were inaugurated in response to calls from Governing Council members and other industry stakeholders for dedicated committees to address emerging issues and reinforce professional practice in these key segments of insurance.
Mrs.Odukale noted that the Agricultural Insurance Technical Committee will focus on promoting best practices in agricultural insurance, while strengthening members’ capabilities in underwriting and claims management for agricultural insurance business.
The DG further stated that the Reinsurance Technical Committee will focus on reinsurance matters and practices, while enhancing the capacity of member companies in reinsurance underwriting and claims management.
As part of the inauguration, members of the two Technical Committees were briefed on their roles, responsibilities, and expected contributions to industry growth. Thereafter, elections were held to put the leadership structures of both committees in place.
For the Agricultural Insurance Technical Committee, Leonard Okoroafor of AIICO Insurance Plc emerged as Chairman, Baron Omiji of Guinea Insurance Plc became Deputy Chairman, while Adebayo Olukolajo of Leadway Assurance was elected Secretary, and Ndidi Nkeonyeasua Olagunju of Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) emerged as Assistant Secretary.
For the Reinsurance Technical Committee; Helen OSADUNKWU of Cornerstone Insurance Plc was elected Chairman, Ochuko Efenure of Zenith Insurance Plc emerged as Deputy Chairman, while Uwem Offong of NSIA Insurance was elected Secretary, and Otoikhila Godskingdom of Emple Insurance became Assistant Secretary.
With the inauguration of the two new committees, the NIA has reaffirmed its commitment to building technical capacity, encouraging collaboration, and promoting standards to support the sustainable growth and development of the Association and the wider Nigerian insurance industry.