By Rosemary Iwunze

President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, Mr. Akinjide Orimolade has said that the future of the insurance profession depends on the quality of leadership, innovation and professionalism that is cultivated today.

Orimolade made the assertion while giving his welcome address at the year 2026 Youth Mentorship Programme (Bootcamp 7.0) held at College of Insurance and Financial Management in Ogun State.

Orimolade said that the CIIN Youth Mentorship Programme has become one of the most impactful capacity-building initiatives of the Institute.

He said: “I am delighted to see such an impressive gathering of young professionals who have chosen to invest in their personal and professional development, demonstrating their commitment to excellence and their readiness to shape the future of the insurance industry. Your presence reflects our shared belief that the future of the insurance profession depends on the quality of leadership, innovation and professionalism that we cultivate today.

“The CIIN Youth Mentorship Programme has become one of the most impactful capacity-building initiatives of the Institute. It provides a unique platform for knowledge sharing, leadership development, career guidance and professional networking, while creating meaningful opportunities for experienced practitioners to nurture the next generation of insurance professionals.

“This year’s theme, “Innovate, Influence & Thrive: Young Professionals in a Digital Economy” is both timely and inspiring. It captures the realities of the world in which we live and the expectations placed upon emerging professionals who aspire to succeed in an increasingly digital, interconnected and knowledge-driven economy.

“The world of work is undergoing unprecedented transformation. Artificial Intelligence, automation, data analytics, digital platforms and emerging technologies are redefining industries and reshaping the skills required for success. Customer expectations continue to evolve, business models are changing rapidly and innovation has become the defining factor for organisational competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

“These developments present enormous opportunities for young professionals. However, they also demand continuous learning, adaptability and a willingness to embrace change. The question before us is no longer whether technology will transform our profession, but it is how prepared we are to lead and thrive within that transformation.

“Innovation therefore must become a way of thinking rather than an occasional activity. It begins with curiosity, creativity and the courage to challenge conventional approaches. As future leaders of our profession, you must continually seek new ways to improve customer experiences, develop innovative insurance solutions and leverage technology to create greater value for society.

“Equally important is influence. True influence is not determined by position or title but by competence, integrity, professionalism and the positive impact we make on those around us. Every young professional has the capacity to become an ambassador for the insurance industry by demonstrating excellence, ethical conduct and a commitment to lifelong learning.

“The final aspiration of this year’s theme is to Thrive. Thriving means remaining relevant in an environment of constant change. It requires resilience, emotional intelligence, adaptability and an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth. It also demands that we continually develop new competencies that prepare us not only for today’s opportunities but for the future of work.

“At Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, we remain committed to developing competent professionals who will lead the transformation of the Nigerian insurance industry. Capacity development remains central to our strategic vision because we recognise that the future of our profession will ultimately be determined by the investments we make in our people today.”

By Rosemary Iwunze

Leadway Assurance, one of Nigeria’s leading insurance providers and a member of the Leadway Group, a foremost non-banking financial services and wellbeing conglomerate, has unveiled the Leadway Lifetime Plan, a one-of-a-kind whole-of-life insurance solution designed to extend financial protection beyond the immediate household to the wider family circle.

The newly introduced plan unveiled at a press briefing with the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE), reinforces Leadway’s commitment to building lasting financial security, preserving wealth, and delivering meaningful, long-term protection for the people who matter most.

The Leadway Lifetime Plan responds to the increasingly complex financial responsibilities faced by many working adults, particularly members of the Sandwich Generation individuals who simultaneously provide financial support for ageing parents while raising children and planning for their future. With family responsibilities now extending beyond the traditional nuclear household, the Leadway Lifetime Plan is designed to offer broader, long-term protection that reflects the realities of modern Nigerian families.

Speaking on the new insurance plan, Olufunmilayo Amanwa, Executive Director, Technical & Operations, Leadway Assurance, said the product reflects the insurer’s recognition that family structures and financial responsibilities are evolving, and that insurance solutions must evolve with them.

“Financial responsibility no longer stops at the nuclear family. Today, one individual may be supporting children, a spouse, ageing parents, and in some cases, parents-in-law or siblings, all at once. That reality demands a different approach to protection. The Leadway Lifetime Plan was built around this reality. It gives customers a way to extend continuous protection to the extended family, ensuring the people who depend on them are covered, while also delivering meaningful benefits to policyholders within their own lifetime. This is the Leadway way, designing solutions that respond to how people actually live, not recycling old products with new names”

Beyond traditional life protection, the Leadway Lifetime Plan incorporates a range of living benefits designed to provide financial support during critical stages of life. Following five years of complete premium payment and subject to the policy terms, the policyholder and spouse may access up to 50 per cent of their current sum assured upon diagnosis of a covered critical illness. This benefit can provide valuable financial support at a time when a serious health event may place pressure on income, savings and overall household stability.

The plan also provides greater long-term financial flexibility. Eligible policyholders may access up to 50 per cent of the policy value for significant life goals after the premium payment term plus five years, subject to applicable policy conditions. While Leadway’s existing Family Benefits Plan provides family-focused whole-life protection, the Lifetime Plan has been developed as a more expansive, multi-generational solution that combines lifelong protection with financial value that can be accessed during the policyholder’s lifetime.

Explaining the thinking behind the product, Rosetta Aryeetey, Head, Life Underwriting and Life Business, Leadway Assurancesaid the solution was developed around the changing needs of customers. “The starting point for the Leadway Lifetime Plan was the customer. We looked closely at how families are structured today, how financial responsibilities are shared and the challenges customers face when they are responsible for several generations at the same time. What emerged was a need for a solution that does more than pay a benefit after death. Customers need protection for the people who depend on them, but they also need support when critical life events occur and flexibility as their financial priorities evolve.”

She added that the combination of multi-life protection, living benefits, long-term value and flexibility makes the Lifetime Plan relevant across different stages of a customer’s financial journey.

The plan also offers flexibility to enhance financial protection over time through an Escalation of Sum Assured feature. This allows customers to increase their benefits by a fixed percentage, giving them the flexibility to align their level of protection with their evolving financial needs and circumstances.

With the launch, Leadway Assurance is reinforcing its commitment to developing insurance solutions that respond to real-life needs while helping families build resilience, preserve financial stability and create lasting legacies.

About Leadway Assurance

Leadway Assurance is one of Nigeria’s foremost non-banking financial services groups, offering diversified solutions across insurance, pensions, health, and asset management. Founded in 1970, the company has built a legacy of trust and innovation, serving millions of individuals and businesses across Nigeria and West Africa.

By Rosemary Iwunze

In the wake of the insurance industry recapitalization, AXA Mansard has called on insurance journalists to go beyond reporting industry developments and take on a more deliberate role in interpreting and translating complex insurance issues into relatable insights that help Nigerians understand how such developments impact their lives.

The call was made by the Head of Marketing, AXA Mansard, Olusesan Ogunyooye, during the inauguration of the newly elected executives of the National Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE).

Congratulating the new leadership of the association, Ogunyooye commended NAIPE and its members for their longstanding contribution to bridging the information and education gap between the insurance industry and the public through credible, insightful, and consistent reporting.

He noted that the association has played a significant role in bringing important industry conversations to the forefront and helping stakeholders remain informed about key developments across the insurance sector.

“On behalf of AXA Mansard, I congratulate the newly inaugurated executives of NAIPE and wish them a successful tenure. I must also commend the association and its members for the remarkable work you are doing in connecting our industry with the public and ensuring important information reaches Nigerians,” he said.

While acknowledging the progress made in industry reporting, Ogunyooye stressed that a significant education gap remains, creating an opportunity for operators and the media to deepen understanding of how insurance can improve lives and protect the wealth of the nation.

According to him, the role of the media is becoming increasingly important as the insurance industry undergoes transformative reforms, particularly the ongoing recapitalization exercise.

“While you have done an excellent job reporting developments within the insurance industry, there is still a need to bridge the education gap. The public does not only need information; they also need understanding. This is why we believe the media must continue to evolve from reporting industry news to interpreting and translating it in ways that are relatable to everyday Nigerians,” he said.

He explained that as conversations around recapitalization continue, the media has a unique opportunity to help consumers understand the direct benefits of a stronger and better-capitalized insurance industry.
“Recapitalization is not just an industry story. It is a consumer story. Beyond the headlines, we look forward to how you will support our industry by helping Nigerians understand how a stronger insurance industry can enhance consumer confidence, improve insurers’ capacity to settle claims, drive innovation, and ultimately provide better protection for individuals, families, and businesses.

“The value of this recapitalization will also be in helping people connect industry developments with their daily realities. When people understand how policy reforms and capital strengthening initiatives affect them positively, they are more likely to engage with and trust our industry.”

Ogunyooye added that accurate interpretation and simplification of industry developments will be critical to improving insurance awareness, strengthening public trust, and driving broader adoption of insurance products across the country.

He reaffirmed AXA Mansard’s commitment to continue working closely with the media and other industry stakeholders to promote insurance education and support initiatives that enhance financial inclusion and protection for Nigerians.

The inauguration ceremony brought together insurance industry leaders, regulators, media professionals, and other stakeholders to celebrate the emergence of NAIPE’s new executive team and discuss the role of journalism in advancing the growth and development of the financial services sector.