🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
NCRIB urges insurance brokers to capitalize on infrastructure growth
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Ekeoma Ezeibe, President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers NCRIB, has called on insurance practitioners to position themselves as key players in Nigeria's evolving industrial landscape. Speaking at the April 2026 NCRIB Members’ Evening in Lagos, Ezeibe highlighted that the unification of the FX market and the removal of subsidies have generated significant capital inflows and infrastructure development. She noted that government reforms have led to a 41 percent year-on-year growth in capital inflows in Q1 2026, creating numerous insurable assets. Ezeibe pointed to projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Presidential CNG Initiative as opportunities for insurance growth, emphasizing the need for specialized covers such as builders’ liability for new roads, motor and goods-in-transit covers for CNG fleets, and group life and assets all-risk for formalized SMEs. Japhet Duru, Managing Director/CEO of Universal Insurance Plc, assured the brokerage community that the industry is building the financial capacity to support these large-scale risks. Addressing the 2026 recapitalization exercise mandated by the NIIRA Act of 2025, Duru stated that Universal Insurance has significant investor interest and is preparing for a rights issue and private placement. He stressed that operational efficiency and strong relationships with brokers are crucial, noting Universal Insurance's efforts to streamline internal processes for seamles
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The Federal Government announced that the National Examinations Council NECO will begin computer-based examinations this year. This initiative aims to combat examination malpractice and modernize Nigeria's assessment system. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, made this disclosure during NECO's 25th-anniversary celebration in Abuja, highlighting it as a crucial step towards enhancing the credibility of public examinations and elevating Nigeria's global education standards. The new model will enable real-time monitoring of candidates, detection of suspicious activities, and reduction of examination fraud. Dr Alausa emphasized NECO's role in ensuring integrity and accountability in education, noting its evolution into a reliable examination body over 25 years. He added that NECO has improved examination security, enhanced scoring reliability, and expanded access to examinations in underserved communities through technological innovations. The Minister stressed the importance of educational assessments focusing on modern skills like critical thinking and digital literacy. Prof. Dantani Wushishi, the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, stated that the council now conducts examinations in eight countries, signifying international acceptance of its certificates. He mentioned NECO's reforms, including digital verification systems and e-certificates, and infrastructure expansion projects. The introduction of computer-based examinations is seen as a significant shift to imp
Interswitch has welcomed its third and largest group of developer interns into its Developer Academy. This initiative aims to bolster Africa's technology talent pool and support the continent's expanding digital economy. Over 20,000 applications were received for the program, which involves a multi-stage selection process including technical assessments and interviews. The nine-month program offers intensive training in various engineering fields such as backend development, DevOps, mobile development, frontend engineering, and quality assurance. It combines theoretical learning with practical exposure to enterprise-grade systems, equipping participants with essential technical and workplace readiness skills. Mitchell Elegbe, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Interswitch, stated that the company is focused on building long-term capacity within Africa’s technology ecosystem despite the migration of skilled professionals. He emphasized Interswitch's commitment to enabling individuals to contribute to the technology ecosystem locally and globally, thereby strengthening the industry and reinforcing Nigeria's position as a source of globally competitive engineering talent. Franklin Ali, Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Interswitch, added that the program equips young professionals with both technical and adaptive skills. The Developer Academy is part of a broader strategy to meet the increasing global demand for software engineers and address the migration of skil
Must ReadThe Nigerian Senate has passed an amendment to the 2026 Electoral Act Bill, aiming to establish a clearer legal framework for pre-election disputes. The bill, which amends Section 29 and introduces a new Section 29A, seeks to address persistent jurisdictional issues in pre-election matters. Senator Simon Lalong, chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, stated that the amendment is necessary due to ongoing legal and constitutional controversies surrounding the interpretation of pre-election cases. He highlighted that the current situation leads to conflicting court decisions, abuse of judicial processes, and delays. The revised Section 295 allows aspirants to file actions in the Federal Capital Territory or where the cause of action arose, which Lalong described as practical and equitable. The new Section 29A establishes a distinct hierarchy for adjudication: disputes for National Assembly, governorship, and state Houses of Assembly elections will originate at the Federal High Court, with appeals to the Court of Appeal. For presidential and vice-presidential elections, matters will originate directly at the Court of Appeal, with appeals to the Supreme Court. This arrangement is intended to promote judicial efficiency and align with the constitutional importance of presidential elections. Lalong also noted that the amendment would curb the practice of litigants filing multiple suits and introduce certainty and procedural discipline into
Must ReadAspirants from the All Progressives Congress APC, including President Bola Tinubu, formally submitted their nomination and expression of interest forms to the party's national secretariat on Thursday. Vice President Kashim Shettima submitted President Tinubu's forms, officially launching his bid for re-election in the 2027 presidential election. This submission, witnessed by governors, National Assembly members, and APC National Working Committee members, marked the start of Tinubu's re-election campaign, which Shettima stated is anchored on economic reform. Shettima rallied party members behind Tinubu's candidacy, highlighting his leadership in navigating difficult economic conditions. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, also expressed confidence in Tinubu's performance and capacity for a second term. The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, affirmed the party's unanimous support. Other aspirants who submitted forms include Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges Nicholas Ossai, Deputy President of the Senate Jibrin Barau, and Lagos State consensus governorship aspirant Obafemi Hamzat. Aspirants expressed differing views on the adoption of direct primaries versus consen