BY NKECHI BAECHE—ESEZOBOR —Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, has confirmed her attendance at the 2025 West Africa Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) Education Conference, scheduled to take place from Sunday, 12 October to Wednesday, 15 October 2025 at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
While Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) will be on ground as the Chief Host.
This year’s conference, organized by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) with the theme “The West African Insurer in the Face of Climate Change,” will bring together insurance practitioners, regulators, policymakers, and thought leaders representing countries across the West African sub-region.
Member countries of WAICA, namely Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia, will be represented, making the conference a truly regional platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s conference, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Mrs Ebelechukw Nwachukwu, said that the conference will provide a strategic platform for deliberations on the impact of climate change on the insurance industry, as well as actionable strategies to safeguard the future of insurance education and practice.
“It is particularly important for African insurers to engage in robust discussions on climate change, as the continent faces unique vulnerabilities such as extreme weather events, flooding, drought, and agricultural disruptions that directly impact businesses, communities, and livelihoods.
“These challenges for insurers, according to her translate into rising claims, increased risk exposures, and the urgent need for innovative products and risk management strategies.
By coming together at the WAICA conference, African insurers not only strengthen their collective preparedness but also position themselves to engage competitively with their global counterparts in shaping sustainable insurance practices and climate resilience solutions.
On the choice of state she said : “Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial hub and one of Africa’s most vibrant megacities, was carefully selected as the host destination of the conference for its unique blend of business dynamism, cultural heritage, and world-class hospitality infrastructure. With its strategic role as a financial hub, Lagos provides an ideal environment for fostering cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange among West Africa’s insurance community.
On the number of delegates, she said the conference will feature “no fewer than 250 foreign and local delegates.”
On the number of speaker, she said “The LOC has assembled an array of eminent-local and international insurance industry leaders, dignitaries, and technical experts who will speak on and critically dissect the theme and various sub-themes of the conference. These include:
• Dr. Abiba Zakaria, Ag. Commissioner of Insurance, Ghana
• Mr. Wole Oshin, Group Managing Director, Custodian Investment Plc
• Mr. Bockarie Kaloko, Deputy Minister of Finance, Republic of Sierra Leone
• Ms. Tola Adegbayi, MD/CEO, Mutual Specialist
Following the paper presentations, three panel sessions will be held and chaired respectively by:
• Mr. O.S. Thomas, Former Commissioner for Insurance, NAICOM
• Alhaji Mohammed Kari, Former Commissioner for Insurance (NAICOM)/Wazirin, Bauchi
• Ms. Olamipo Adeola, Head, Corporate Communication & Branding, Scib Nigeria & Co. Ltd.
She assured that the 2025 WAICA Education Conference promises to be a landmark event, reinforcing regional cooperation and highlighting the critical role of insurers in responding to climate challenges while offering delegates a unique opportunity to experience the dynamism of Lagos.
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