By Taiye Olayemi
The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) on Monday hosted the opening ceremony of the maiden Insurance Week, with a call to action for Nigerians to embrace insurance.
The week-long event with the theme, “Insurance For All: Securing Nigeria’s Future”, is organised by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) under the leadership of the Institute’s President, Mrs Yetunde Ilori.
The event aimed at creating awareness about the various services and products offered by insurance companies.
In his address at the opening ceremony, the NIA Chairman, Mr Kunle Ahmed, said events outlined for the week would enable insurers review and improve on their services to meet the needs of their customers.
Ahmed stated that the insurance week was for the insuring public and intending clients, hence, insurers had come up with new products for their customers.
He said, ” This week, all insurance practitioners are focused on activities that will further create awareness for the insurance industry.
“These include prompt claims payment, insurance products, ease of onboarding insurance customers and general awareness.
“The NIA is working on simplifying the claims payment process and enhance customer service, with a focus on prompt payment of claims and ease of onboarding insurance customers.”
The chairman urged Nigerians to consider purchasing insurance products to secure their future.
He said that all arms of the industry was fully participating in the Insurance Week programme to increase insurance penetration and provide Nigerians with the protection they needed.
The NIA chairman cited the industry’s payment of N622 billion in claims to customers in 2024 as a testament of its effectiveness and reliability.
Ahmed advised those, who had issues with insurance companies, to reach out to the NIA or the CIIN for assistance.
He assured the public that the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) was committed to protecting the rights and interests of clients.
“With a vibrant regulatory framework in place, the industry is working to ensure that insurance companies operate efficiently and effectively,” he said.
Other dignitaries at the event included: Mr Olusegun Omosehin, Commissioner For Insurance; Mr Eddie Efekoha, Chairman, Organising Planning Committee of the maiden Insurance Week.
Also, Prince Babatunde Oguntade, President, NCRIB; Mr Tope Smart, Chairman, NEM Insurance, among others. The week-long programme will come to a close on Saturday, July 4