Insurance leaders spotlight talent, innovation at CIFM 7th Graduation Ceremony

Nike Popoola

The College of Insurance and Financial Management (CIFM) today,held its 7th Graduation Ceremony for the Diploma in Insurance Programme, graduating a new cohort of professionals positioned to drive growth and innovation in Nigeria’s insurance industry.

The ceremony, themed “Strategic Leadership: Overcoming Challenges, Harnessing Opportunities,” took place at the CIFM, along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, and drew industry leaders and stakeholders from across the sector. Ambassador Godson Echegile, OFR, served as Chairman of the Day.

Delivering the keynote address, Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, commended the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) and CIFM for establishing what he described as a world-class institution comparable to leading business schools in the country.

Smart who was represented by the Executive Director, Technical, Mr. Yemi Mayadenu, urged the graduates to think and act as executives, uphold ethics and professionalism, and serve as worthy ambassadors of the college.

Chairman of the CIFM Governing Board, Mr. Jide Orimolade, celebrated the graduating students, as the CIFM conferred diploma degrees on students who successfully completed the programme in the 2024/2025 and 2023/2024 academic sessions, while also presenting awards to those who distinguished themselves in specific fields.

The Managing Director of AIICO Insurance Plc, Mr. Babatunde Fajemirokun, who delivered the guest lecture, highlighted Nigeria’s vast insurance gap, noting that over 100 million Nigerians remain uninsured. He described this as a massive opportunity for innovation, particularly in the informal sector, microinsurance, agriculture insurance amid climate change, and the effective implementation of Takaful Insurance.

Fajemirokun also emphasized the industry’s urgent need for talent in areas such as actuarial science, cyber risk insurance, emotional intelligence, prioritising integrity, and urging professionals to commit to lifelong learning in an era where change is fast.

The Rector of CIFM, Mrs. Chizoba Ehiogu, disclosed that 15 students from the 2025/2026 set and graduates from the 2023/2024 set completed the programme. She explained that a curriculum was designed to attract professionals from diverse backgrounds, deepen their understanding of insurance practice, and prepare them to attain greater heights in the industry.