Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe has been sworn in as the 23rd President and Chairman of the governing board of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers.
Ezeibe, who was sworn in at a ceremony held in Lagos on Friday, is also the third female president of the council in its 63 years of existence.
She takes over from Babatunde Oguntade, who served for two years. The PUNCH reported that NCRIB is the umbrella association of all registered insurance brokers in Nigeria, who are by law expected to be registered by it before they can practise.
Speaking at the ceremony, the chairman of the occasion and doyen of insurance, Olabode Ogunlana, called for collaboration within the sector and beyond.
“Ideally, there should also be linkages across all sectors of the Nigerian financial system. This collaboration must extend to insurers, regulators, and governments alike,” he said.
Harping on insurance education, Ogunlana said, “Up to now, we have neglected insurance education for potential insurers. We must now go out of our way to make insurance a household word. Schools, higher institutions of learning, marketplaces, work sites, and wherever potential insurers may be. We must reduce our dependence on government insurer portfolios. The current free-for-all approach neither recognises merit nor encourages innovation or skill enhancement.
“We must stop worrying our heads and time on those with deep pockets and their collaborators. Of course, we are not giving agriculture the enthusiasm and innovation it deserves. We must prioritise one settlement of claims.”
He charged the new NCRIB President to pursue her agenda with vigour, adding, “We shall all support you.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Insurance/Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission, Olusegun Omosehin, said the emergence of Ezeibe was a powerful statement on inclusion.
“The emergence of Ezeibe as the third female president in the 63-year history of this council is a powerful symbol of progress and inclusion. Of quiet strength and strategic impact, both at the NCRlB and generally within the Nigerian insurance industry. Of note is her strategic leadership as the chairperson of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Committee on AfCFTA. Under her guidance, the committee has championed industry enlightenment, capacity building and policy advocacy to ensure the Nigerian insurance industry is well positioned to harness the opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he said.
Omosehin went on to urge the NCRIB to work with it on microinsurance and Takaful options.
He said, “Inclusive insurance models also become very critical, so we would like to partner with the NCRIB to develop broker-led micro insurance and takaful solutions for our public. NAICOM’s stance is simple. Deliver only what you can support and support everything you deliver. Clear promises and prompt service build trust, and trust drives penetration.
“We invite the NCRIB, under the leadership of Mrs. Ezeibe, to actively partner with the Commission in implementing the provisions of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act, 2025. NAICOM, therefore, remains open to dialogue and committed to harmonising the roles of all industry players.”
He went on to charge the new President on professionalism, saying, “In closing, I would like to charge the new President that as you assume this new role, this leadership role, I charge you to lead with professionalism that sets new benchmarks for service delivery in this industry.”
Ezeibe, in her inaugural speech, pledged to work with players in the private and public sectors to deepen insurance penetration.
