Centre hails transparency in ongoing insurance sector reforms

The Centre for Credible Reforms and Institutional Accountability (CCRIA) has commended the Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, for promoting transparency and accountability in the ongoing reforms of Nigeria’s insurance industry.

The centre said the implementation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 had ushered in a new phase for the sector, with stronger regulatory standards, improved capitalisation and greater emphasis on policyholder protection.

Dr Aminu Abubakar Aminu, president of the centre, stated this in a statement at the weekend.

Aminu also commended President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for enacting NIIRA, describing the legislation as a major step towards addressing longstanding challenges in the insurance industry.

“The enactment of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act is a significant milestone in the development of Nigeria’s insurance sector. We commend Mr President and the National Assembly for recognising the need to modernise the legal and regulatory framework governing the industry. NIIRA provides the foundation for an insurance sector that is better capitalised, more accountable, more responsive to policyholders and better equipped to contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian economy,” he said.

The centre also praised Omosehin’s leadership of NAICOM, saying his experience as an insurance professional had equipped him with the knowledge required to implement the new regulatory framework.

“We consider the appointment of Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin as Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of NAICOM a timely and appropriate decision. He is a seasoned insurance professional with many years of experience in the industry, and his understanding of the sector gives him the practical knowledge required to lead an important reform process of this nature. We commend him for the direction he has provided since assuming office and for his commitment to strengthening the industry,” Aminu said.

According to the centre, the ongoing recapitalisation exercise is one of the measures aimed at strengthening the financial capacity of insurance companies and improving their ability to meet obligations to policyholders.

Aminu said the reforms were already yielding early gains and should be sustained through consistent implementation.

“The early developments under NIIRA demonstrate that the reform is not merely a legislative exercise but a process capable of producing measurable improvements in the industry. Stronger capital requirements, improved supervision and greater attention to policyholder protection will ultimately create an insurance market that Nigerians can trust. We encourage NAICOM to remain focused on the implementation of the Act and to continue providing clear guidance to operators and other stakeholders,” he said.

The centre said the reforms would also help deepen insurance penetration and increase the sector’s contribution to national economic development.

It urged insurance companies, brokers, reinsurers, professional bodies and other stakeholders to embrace the new framework and work with NAICOM to achieve the objectives of the legislation.

“The success of NIIRA will require the cooperation of every stakeholder in the insurance ecosystem. Operators must see the reforms as an opportunity to strengthen their institutions, improve their services and regain the confidence of Nigerians. A well-regulated insurance industry can mobilise long-term capital, protect businesses and households against risks and support investment and economic growth. These are benefits that go beyond the insurance industry itself,” Aminu said.

Aminu emphasised that the centre was particularly encouraged by the focus on policyholder protection under the new framework, noting that public confidence remained critical to the growth of insurance in Nigeria.

He said Nigerians should be able to purchase insurance products with confidence that operators had the financial capacity and institutional structures required to honour legitimate claims.

The centre’s president also urged NAICOM to sustain its engagement with stakeholders while ensuring that the provisions of NIIRA were implemented transparently and consistently.

“What is required at this stage is continuity, professionalism and commitment to the objectives of the law. The reforms must be sustained beyond the initial implementation period so that the gains can become permanent features of the industry. We believe NAICOM, under the leadership of Mr Ayo Omosehin, has an important responsibility to ensure that the momentum is maintained, and we encourage all stakeholders to support the commission in delivering on this mandate,” he said.

The centre said successful implementation of NIIRA would strengthen confidence in the insurance sector, improve protection for policyholders and position the industry to play a greater role in Nigeria’s economic transformation.

It also called for continued collaboration among NAICOM, insurance operators and other stakeholders to ensure that the objectives of the new law were fully achieved.