UNIZIK holds maiden Insurance Week, promotes Inclusion, Innovation and Trust
The Department of Banking and Finance, Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has successfully hosted its inaugural Insurance Week 2026 with the theme, “Insurance for All: Driving Inclusion, Innovation and Trust.”
The event commenced with a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, where the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Alex Asigbo, received the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe, FCIB, and her delegation.
Speaking during the courtesy visit, Professor Asigbo, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, warmly welcomed the delegation to UNIZIK and described the institution as a university for all times. He noted that many Nigerians still have limited knowledge of insurance and expressed optimism that students of the university’s newly established Insurance Programme would benefit immensely from interactions with industry professionals.
Responding, the NCRIB President, Mrs. Ezeibe stated that increasing insurance penetration remains one of the key priorities of her administration. Drawing from her four decades of experience in the insurance industry, she emphasised the importance of mentoring future leaders and fostering collaboration within the profession.
She stressed the need to expose students to insurance practice early in their academic journey, particularly those studying insurance. According to her, the visit was a homecoming, noting that NCRIB is celebrating 64 years of existence. She further highlighted her historic emergence as the second person from the South-East, the first female from the region, and the 23rd President of the Council.
Delivering his remarks during the main event, the Coordinator of the Insurance Programme, Professor Victor Ikeotuonye, stated that the department has consistently taken pride in grooming the next generation of risk managers, actuaries, and financial leaders.
He explained that the theme, “Insurance for All: Driving Inclusion, Innovation and Trust,” directly addresses the realities of the modern global economy and serves as a strategic blueprint for national development. He added that the theme aligns perfectly with the vision of the Insurance Programme, which seeks to advance knowledge-driven, trust-based and technology-enabled risk management solutions capable of enhancing financial security and sustainable economic development across Nigeria and Africa.
The Head of the Department of Banking and Finance, Professor Gideon Ezu, expressed gratitude to Mrs. Ezeibe for personally attending the event rather than sending a representative. He commended her historic achievement as the first female President of NCRIB from the South-East.
Professor Ezu encouraged students to take full advantage of the opportunity to interact with seasoned insurance practitioners, noting that such exposure was unavailable during his own undergraduate years. He described Mrs. Ezeibe as a mother figure to the Insurance Programme and urged students to pay close attention to the proceedings, assuring them that the experience would yield lasting benefits.
Also speaking, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Kingsley Ubaoji, applauded the students for attending the programme despite their busy schedules. He expressed confidence that participants would gain valuable academic and professional insights from the lectures and discussions.
Professor Ubaoji further highlighted the importance of insurance in providing support to families of deceased students and emphasised the need for greater awareness of insurance benefits. He thanked the NCRIB President for her availability and encouraged students to maximise the opportunity presented by the programme.
Representing the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mrs. Abimbola Tiamiyu, the Educational Secretary of the CIIN Enugu Chapter, Mr. Damian Iloegbunem, congratulated the students for choosing insurance as a field of study.
He described insurance as a noble profession with enormous career opportunities and stressed the need for practical exposure alongside academic training. According to him, the institute remains committed to preparing students for a brighter and more successful future in the profession.
In his concluding remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Professor Frank Nwankwo, welcomed the NCRIB President, her entourage, staff and students. He commended the Vice-Chancellor for supporting the establishment of the Insurance Programme, describing it as a significant milestone for the university.
Professor Nwankwo also acknowledged the dedication and perseverance of Professor Victor Ikeotuonye, whose years of commitment he emphasised, who contributed immensely to the realisation of the programme. He encouraged students to make the most of the opportunities available within the department and wished them a successful academic journey.
Other dignitaries and stakeholders present at the event included, Professor Chinelo Amakor, Dr Charity Osakwe, Okechukwu Egwuatu, Okonkwo Nnamdi, Ijeoma Umeozor, Obasi Sabinus and Ugochukwu Udoye.
The maiden Insurance Week was widely regarded as a major step toward deepening insurance awareness, promoting industry-academia collaboration, and inspiring the next generation of insurance professionals in Nigeria.