By Ngozi Onyeakusi–The Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) has unveiled panelists for its 2024 national conference.

The panelists, comprised of experts from key sectors of the economy including insurance, Pension, and Capital Market, will discuss and analyse the theme of the Conference “Towards A $1 Trillion Economy: Roles of Insurance And Pension Sectors.”

The panelists include Mr. Tunde Mimiko, Managing Director/CEO, Sanlam Life Insurance Limited;  Mr Adeyemi Mayadenu, Executive Director, Technical, NEM Insurance Plc  (General); Mr. Wale Okunrinboye, Chief Investment Officer, Access Pensions; Mr. Oluseye Olusoga, Managing Director/CEO, Parthian Partners Limited and Mr. Oguche Agudah, CEO, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp).

This year’s edition of the NAIPE national conference which is 9th in the series will take place on October 8, 2024, at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Victoria Island, Lagos, by 9 am.

The former Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commissioner (NAICOM), who is also the former Managing Director/CEO, FBS Reinsurance Limited, Mr. Fola Daniel, will chair the conference. At the same time, the Managing Director/Chief Economist, Analysts Data Services and Resources, Dr. Afolabi Olowookere, will deliver the theme paper.

The Special Guests of Honour for the Conference will be the newly appointed Commissioner For Insurance/CEO, NAICOM, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin and the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs Omolola Bridget Oloworaran.

The event will bring together stakeholders in the insurance and pension sectors to discuss the importance of the sectors’ contribution to the $1 Trillion Economy projected by the present administration for achievement by 2026.

It would be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while attending the 29th Session of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in 2023, promised to grow the nation’s economy to $1 trillion by 2026.

Presently the main drivers of the economy are crude oil, agriculture, services and manufacturing.  As the various sectors of the country’s economy increase the tempo of economic activities to meet the set target, there will be opportunities thrown up, therefore the insurance and pension sectors must be ready to take advantage of those opportunities.

While Insurance sector is expected to provide the needed support in terms of protection against risks that may likely crystallise during the period and beyond, Pension Sector on the other hand is expected to take care of the welfare of the workers by ensuring proper management of workers pension contributions and timely payment of pensions to retirees.

The Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Fola Daniel is an astute professional in the Nigerian insurance and pension sectors; while the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Afolabi Olowookere is a renowned economist.

Commenting on the theme of the conference, NAIPE Chairperson, Mrs. Nkechi Naeche-Esezobor, said the theme of the conference was carefully chosen to draw the attention of the operators of the two sectors to the realities on the ground, especially regarding what they need to do to remain relevance in the unfolding economic situation in Nigeria.

Esezobor noted that not less than 250 stakeholders from the insurance, pension, finance, organised private sector and trade Unions and Associations would attend the conference.