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Senate Proposes N50m Fine for Unlicensed Insurance Firms

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The Senate has proposed a fine of N50m to the principal officers of insurance companies operating without valid licenses or that they be sentenced to a two-year prison term or both.

It proposed this in a bill sponsored by Senator Tokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East) and 40 others titled, ‘Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Bill, 2024,’ which seeks an Act to repeal the Insurance Act, Cap117 2004, the Marine Insurance Act, Cap M3 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation Act, Cap, N131, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, etc.

The bill which passed its second reading in July also proposed that any individual found engaging in unlicensed insurance activities will face a fine of N25,000,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.

The bill states, “A person who transacts any insurance business without being licensed for that purpose under this bill commits an offence and is liable on conviction, in the case of an individual, to a fine of N25,000,000 or to imprisonment for two years or both.

“(b) a company, firm or other combination of persons, each principal officer of the company, firm or other combination of persons responsible to a fine of N50,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of two years; or to both.”

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In addition to these punitive measures, the bill outlines stringent capital requirements that must be met by any entity wishing to operate in the insurance market.

Non-life insurance businesses must maintain a minimum capital of N25bn or a risk-based capital as the commission determines.

The Senate also set the minimum capital for life assurance businesses at N15bn, while reinsurance businesses are required to maintain a capital of N45bn.

These requirements, according to the sponsor, are designed to ensure that insurers possess the financial resilience necessary to meet their obligations.

The bill also mandates that any insurer intending to commence operations in Nigeria must deposit 50 per cent of the required minimum capital with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

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It added that upon registration, 80 per cent of this deposit will be returned with interest within 60 days. Existing companies are required to deposit 10 per cent of the minimum capital with the CBN, with interest applied annually at the minimum lending rate.

To further protect consumers, the bill specifies that insurance policy documents must be delivered to the insured within five working days after the payment of premiums, or within 30 working days for special and industrial risk insurance.

Failure to comply with this provision will result in a fine of up to five per cent of the premium received, along with additional penalties as determined by the commission.

Insurers are also prohibited from denying claims based on policy terms or conditions if it is proven that the policy document was not delivered before the loss occurred, except in specific circumstances.

Moreover, the bill noted that the introduction of new insurance products will require prior approval from the commission, which must respond within 30 days of receiving an application.

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If the commission fails to communicate its decision within this timeframe, the product will be deemed approved.

Insurers who introduce new products without the necessary approval will face daily fines of N5m for each day the violation continues.

The bill states that “A person shall not carry on insurance business in Nigeria unless the insurer has and maintains, while carrying on that business, a minimum capital in the case of non-life insurance business, the higher of N25,000,000,000.00, or risk-based capital determined from time to time by the commission.

“In the case of life assurance business, the higher of — N15,000,000,000, or risk-based capital determined from time to time by the commission.”

It further adds that “in the case of reinsurance business, the higher of  N45,000,000,000, and risk-based capital determined from time to time by the commission.”

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Africa Prudential Unveils Digital Growth Strategy

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Africa Prudential Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable growth and digital transformation after posting another strong half-year financial performance, driven by robust growth in its core registrar business, technology-driven solutions and increased activity in Nigeria’s capital market.

Speaking during the company’s H1 2026 Investor Call on Tuesday, the management outlined plans to deepen revenue diversification and accelerate innovation as part of efforts to reduce reliance on interest income and strengthen long-term profitability.

The company reported gross earnings of ₦4.28 billion for the first half of 2026, representing a 27 per cent increase from ₦3.34 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

Profit before tax rose by 22 per cent to ₦2.41 billion, while profit after tax climbed 18 per cent to ₦1.59 billion.

Net operating income also increased by 27 per cent to ₦4.21 billion, while total assets grew by 13 per cent to ₦46.53 billion. Shareholders’ funds similarly rose by 13 per cent to ₦12.52 billion.

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According to the company, the impressive performance was driven by sustained growth in its registrar business, increased corporate actions across the Nigerian capital market, stronger treasury earnings supported by the prevailing interest rate environment and rising adoption of its technology-enabled products and services.African Mineral Wealth

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Catherine Nwosu, said Africa Prudential is steadily evolving from a traditional share registrar into a diversified technology and business solutions provider serving the broader capital market ecosystem.

Addressing concerns from investors about the sustainability of earnings if interest rates decline, Nwosu said the company was deliberately expanding its non-interest income sources.

“Interest rates influence our treasury income positively, but that is why we are deliberately diversifying our revenue streams. Our strategy is to grow recurring fee-based business lines such as our digital solutions, Know Your Customer (KYC) services, AGM technology, probate services and the SabiVest mobile app. Over time, this will reduce our reliance on interest income and create a more balanced and resilient earnings mix,” she said.

She noted that increasing activity in the Nigerian capital market presents fresh opportunities for technology-driven solutions.

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“With capital market activity nearly doubling over the past year, demand for seamless digital investor experiences, improved market efficiency and stronger compliance standards continues to grow. We are investing in technology-enabled solutions that position us to capitalise on these opportunities while delivering sustainable value to our shareholders,” she added.

Looking ahead, the company identified five strategic priorities for the second half of 2026, including driving sustainable growth through its core registrar business and new revenue streams, accelerating technology-led product innovation, strengthening brand leadership, investing in talent development and reinforcing corporate governance.

The investor call attracted institutional investors, shareholders, analysts, regulators and other capital market stakeholders, reflecting strong interest in Africa Prudential’s earnings outlook, revenue diversification strategy and long-term growth plans.

 

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IHS Nigeria Donates Business-Support Equipment to Empower People with Disabilities in Abuja Community

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Communications infrastructure company, IHS Nigeria, has donated business support equipment to empower people with disabilities within the Karonmajiji community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This is part of the company’s commitment to drive inclusive community development and sustainable livelihood support under its Project Empower initiative.

The equipment was distributed to beneficiaries during a ceremony held in the community on Monday, July 27. The initiative was conceived following a community needs assessment and is designed to empower active traders by providing them with business tools rather than cash grants, thereby strengthening their businesses and ensuring long-term economic impact and accountability.

Speaking at the event, Director, Sustainability, IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, described the initiative as a reflection of the company’s commitment to advancing inclusive development by equipping persons with disabilities with the tools and opportunities needed to build resilient livelihoods.

She explained that rather than providing short-term financial assistance, IHS Nigeria adopted an asset-based approach by donating 50 pieces of business support equipment, including sewing machines, freezers, generators and hairdressing kits, to the selected beneficiaries.

According to her, the intervention is designed to create lasting value by supporting entrepreneurship, promoting self-reliance and strengthening household incomes, while contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

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In his opening remarks, the Chief of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammed Katsina, represented by the Secretary of the Community, Alhaji Mohammed Dantani commended IHS Nigeria for its commitment to empowering persons with disabilities through practical and sustainable interventions.

He described the initiative as a demonstration of genuine partnership with the community and expressed appreciation for the company’s continued engagement with the Association, noting that the donation of the equipment was a significant investment in improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities and would create meaningful economic opportunities for the beneficiaries and their families.

The event brought together traditional rulers, government representatives, leaders and members of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community Association, implementing partners, including Field of Skills and Dreams Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship (FSD VTE) Training Institute and other community stakeholders, reaffirming a shared commitment to promoting inclusion and sustainable community development.

Project Empower reinforces IHS Nigeria’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through strategic partnerships that promote economic inclusion, strengthen community resilience and create opportunities for underserved communities.

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CIBN, ACAMB Push for Financial Inclusion, Women Empowerment

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The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) and the Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) have enjoined banks to further deepen and prioritize financial inclusion, women’s empowerment and sustained growth through strategic mandates and frameworks, aimed at closing the financial gap and empowering more small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners.

Both organisations made this call during a courtesy visit to the newly invested 24th President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Dele Alabi, Ph.D, FCIB, as part of plans to congratulate him on his investiture as well as seek a stronger alliance between both bodies.

The visit followed Alabi’s investiture where he unveiled his “IMPACT” Vision, themed “Consolidating Our Local Impact, Enhancing Our Global Relevance.”

The vision rests on six pillars: Inclusion across geographic, gender, and generational lines; Membership growth and quality; Professionalism and ethics; Accountability; Competencies and skills development; Technology, automation, and innovation. Other areas of shared interest, include women empowerment, financial inclusion and literacy, as well as MSME clinics, all of which are top on his agenda.

Alabi explained that under him, the institute will be prioritising financial inclusion and women empowerment, because of its realisation that women  are often the primary financial managers and caregivers in families. Access to savings, micro-credit, and insurance acts as a safety net during crisis and allows them to significantly improve living conditions.

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He added that CIBN would be happy to drive joint knowledge sharing and exchange sessions with CBN and ACAMB across various platforms. “Educating the public through public awareness programmes, with ACAMB as the rallying point, is central to what we do,” he noted.

ACAMB President, Jide Sipe, who led the delegation, spoke in unison with the CIBN president, as he noted that, closing the inbalances in financial access help economies grow faster, reduces inequality, and encourages greater civic participation by all.

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