Buhari Urges Insurance Sector to Key into FG’s Economic Diversification Drive

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Ebere Nwoji in Lagos

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged insurance firms in the country to take advantage of on-going efforts by the federal government to grow the non-oil sector of the economy through innovation. Buhari also commended insurance companies for their role in encouraging medical practitioners to tackle the spread of COVID-19 pandemic since last year.

Speaking virtually at the opening ceremony of the 47th African Insurance Organisation (AIO) Conference and Annual General Assembly yesterday, the president said the insurance sector would play a vital role in the diversification of the economy by bringing “necessary stability, economic sustainability, revenue generation, job creation and financial inclusiveness.”

He added, “There is a great future for the insurance industry in Africa. We only need to put the right mechanism in place for it to thrive. I assure you that this administration has and will continue to support Insurance growth in Nigeria and Africa at large.

“I commend the leadership of the AIO for the resilience, foresight and perseverance in ensuring that the African insurance market strives to meet its expectations in the global market, notwithstanding the prevailing challenges.”

The president said the theme of the conference, “Rebuilding Africa’s Economy: An Insurance Perspective,” was apt and well thought out to respond to the reality of the moment, as many governments tried to devise ingenious ways to manage their economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He stated, “The pandemic has, indeed, changed many perspectives that have forced leaders across the globe to think hard for remedies.

“I want to assure you that we in Nigeria are doing everything humanly possible to ensure coordinated approach to the pandemic and reaching out to other African leaders on possible best options to fully revive the African economy in which I strongly believe the insurance industry has a vital role to play.”

The president noted that the COVID-19 pandemic presented a global challenge, which led to lockdown in many countries, travel restrictions, and issuance of many health protocols, affecting all human, social and economic interactions that made hosting of the conference impossible in 2020.

Buhari said, “COVID-19 is still a serious challenge in many countries across the globe. However, adequate protocols have been put in place to curb its spread and vaccination is in progress.

“We understand as a government and nation the need to frontally tackle some of the disruptions to our social, economic and health occasioned by the pandemic by putting in place sufficient measures that allow the system to function.

“I once again use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian insurance industry for identifying with the government through the provision of life insurance set of packages for frontline medical and paramedical personnel in the course of this fight. Your support and solidarity in these times are highly appreciated.”

Buhari thanked the organising committee for successfully putting the conference together, adding that the subtopics listed for discussions are germane and critical in helping Nigeria and Africa rebuild.

He stated, “We are aware that the AIO’s Conference and Annual General Meeting is rotated amongst member states in order to provide a forum for exchange of information and strategies on market development while promoting regional knowledge and integration.

“We received the news of the decision of the Executive Committee of the AIO granting Nigeria the hosting rights of this 47th edition of the AIO Conference with pleasure. As a country, we are confident in our ability to deliver the best conference ever in year 2020 before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.”

Earlier in her remarks, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said the foresight of the founders of the AIO deserved commendation, as it had fostered African integration agenda and highlighted how best to collectively address shortcomings. Ahmed urged the insurance sector to design their products around the needs of society, especially for low income earners, stressing that greater impact on development would only be possible by looking at the African peculiarity.

President of AIO, Mrs. Delphine Traore, who is also Chief Operation Officer, Alliance Africa, said the conference was last held in Nigeria in 2000. Traore assured that innovation in the sector would help in complementing government’s development efforts.