By Henry Uche
2024, a leap year, began with elevated expectations from industry stakeholders, especially insurance consumers and policyholders, from the regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), and the operators within Nigeria’s insurance sector.
Just as Nigerians anticipated President Tinubu’s government would elevate the economy from austerity to prosperity, those within the insurance value chain hoped the immediate past Commissioner of Insurance, Mr. Sunday Olorundare Thomas, would ignite the long-awaited 10-year strategic transformation roadmap designed to revitalise the sector’s operations.
In 2023, Mr. Thomas unveiled the ambitious roadmap, which is set to span from 2024 to 2033, with the goal of transforming the industry through a carefully structured approach. The roadmap aimed to increase insurance penetration in Nigeria, projecting a rise from the current rate of less than 1 percent to 2.1 percent by 2033. This growth is expected to significantly elevate Nigeria’s global insurance market standing.
Thomas explained that the sector’s transformation would revolve around seven strategic thrusts, each designed to achieve specific goals. These included the transformation of the regulatory environment to promote industry growth, the transition to a risk-based capital model, and the expansion of insurance awareness and adoption. The plan also aimed to broaden insurance product offerings, enhance distribution channels, drive digital innovation, develop the talent pool, and contribute to Nigeria’s broader economic transformation and sustainability agenda.
Despite these promising strategies, Mr. Thomas pointed out that the insurance sector’s steady growth, averaging 15.1 percent annually in premium income, remained insufficient when compared to Nigeria’s economic potential. The sector had yet to fully capitalize on the N17 trillion assets of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). He stressed the importance of maximizing this growing fund, urging stakeholders to support efforts to revitalize the economy and mitigate risks for businesses and individuals.
In 2024, industry stakeholders had high hopes for transformative initiatives, radical awareness campaigns, strategic partnerships with fintech and insurtech, data-driven premium models, and enhanced cooperation among operators. They anticipated clear policies, rigorous enforcement, tailored products, and robust risk mitigation strategies to reshape the sector.
However, those aspirations faced an abrupt shift. On Friday, April 19, 2024, President Tinubu ended Mr. Sunday Thomas’s tenure and appointed Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin as the new Commissioner for Insurance. Omosehin, the former Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), now carried the immense responsibility of stepping into Thomas’s shoes, a role demanding both expertise and the support of influential industry figures.
Upon assuming office, Omosehin took a methodical approach to engage key insurance stakeholders, seeking their support in order to tackle the significant challenges ahead. He met with various industry leaders, including the NIA’s management team, led by Chairman Kunle Ahmed, and representatives from the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), and the Nigerian Actuarial Society. His outreach underscored the importance of collaboration to achieve mutual success.
In the spirit of building partnerships, Omosehin also visited key government agencies to align on strategic priorities for the sector. On May 14, 2024, he hosted the Constitutional Committee on “Mobilisation and Diversification” of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, with discussions focused on diversifying Nigeria’s economy through collaboration. Additionally, on June 11, 2024, Omosehin met with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to discuss enforcement of compulsory third-party motor insurance. The Commissioner emphasized the need for greater compliance, with fewer than 25 percent of vehicles on the road having valid insurance.
Furthermore, Omosehin continued to build strategic relationships with other stakeholders. On July 11, 2024, he welcomed the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), led by CEO Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, to strengthen regulatory partnerships. In the same month, NAICOM introduced two key initiatives: the Complaint Management Portal, aimed at efficiently resolving insurance-related issues, and the new agents’ licensing portal, designed to simplify and expedite the registration and renewal of insurance agents.
Throughout the year, Omosehin maintained his focus on improving collaboration. NAICOM engaged in discussions with the Lagos State Fire Service to enforce Public Building Insurance, as well as the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to promote data protection policies across the sector. On August 30, 2024, Omosehin reached out to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to further insurance penetration across Nigeria’s 36 states.
In addition, Omosehin took proactive steps to support Nigeria’s aviation sector by meeting with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, focusing on local content development and risk management. The Commissioner also met with representatives from the Nigerian Factoring Working Group to explore opportunities for collaboration between the insurance industry and stakeholders involved in factoring.
On August 28, 2024, NAICOM visited the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to discuss deepening insurance penetration and leveraging both conventional and social insurance systems. The two agencies agreed to set up a joint committee to drive this collaboration and contribute to the sector’s growth.
In October, Omosehin held discussions with the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on initiatives such as creating a verification portal for marine insurance policies.
In summary, the year 2024 has marked a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s insurance sector. With Mr. Omosehin at the helm, NAICOM is laying the groundwork for a more robust, collaborative, and digitally savvy insurance landscape, which could very well transform the industry and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic development.