The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, NAICOM, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, disclosed this today in Abuja during the official unveiling, he said the programme responds to persistent challenges facing the sector, including low insurance penetration despite Nigeria’s large economy, widespread underinsurance, limited public awareness of insurance products, and untapped opportunities among women, youth, and small businesses.

According to him, the  ISSP is built around six pillars: Advocacy and Policy, Awareness and Education, Capacity Building, Gender Inclusion, Youth Engagement, and MSME and Value Chain Development.

He noted that the programme places strong emphasis on public education and financial literacy, arguing that insurance uptake is closely tied to consumer trust and understanding.

He further  highlighted plans for professional training to strengthen technical expertise across the industry, alongside targeted efforts to bring more women and young people into the insurance space through tailored products and career opportunities.

He said the initiative would extend risk protection to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which he described as key drivers of employment and economic productivity but currently underserved by insurance.

The Commissioner linked the ISSP to the broader Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Agenda (NIIRA 2025), stating that it supports goals such as deepening penetration, enhancing professionalism, strengthening consumer protection, and increasing the sector’s contribution to economic growth.

While pledging NAICOM’s continued support for innovation, Omosehin stressed that growth must be matched by strict adherence to prudential standards, transparency, and prompt claims settlement, adding that market expansion would not be permitted at the expense of solvency or public trust.

He described the launch as the beginning of a new chapter for insurance in Nigeria, one built on collaboration among regulators, operators, professional bodies, development partners, and the media to expand access and rebuild public confidence in the sector.

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This significant achievement underscores the company’s strong financial strength, robust risk management practices, and commitment to delivering exceptional value to its customers.

The “A+” rating reflects Unitrust Insurance Company Limited’s ability to meet financial obligations, sound corporate governance practices, and strong market positioning. It is also a testament to the company’s dedication to providing innovative insurance solutions and delivering superior customer service.

Agusto & Co is a leading independent rating agency in Nigeria, providing credit ratings and credit risk management and research to a wide range of organizations. The company’s ratings are based on rigorous analysis and evaluation of financial performance, risk management practices, and corporate governance.

About Unitrust Insurance Company Limited

Unitrust Insurance Company Limited is a reputable insurance company in Nigeria, offering a comprehensive range of insurance products and services to individuals and businesses. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction and innovative solutions, Unitrust Insurance Company Limited is committed to providing peace of mind and financial security to its customers.

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The revised framework introduces targeted reductions and the removal of selected charges for investors and market intermediaries, reflecting CSCS’s commitment to improving market accessibility and supporting a more efficient and inclusive capital market ecosystem.

Under the revised pricing framework:
Lien fees for retail investors have been reduced by 50%, from 0.25% to 0.125%;
Nominal transfer fees for qualifying transfers between immediate family members have been reduced from 0.3% to zero;
Broker code creation and renewal fees have been removed; and  Eligibility fees payable by brokers across the exchanges serviced by CSCS have been removed.

The changes are designed to lower the cost of participation for investors and market operators, while creating a more supportive environment for brokers, FinTechs and other participants developing solutions that broaden access to Nigeria’s capital market.

Commenting on the review, Mr. Shehu Yahaya Shantali, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CSCS Plc, said:
“As Nigeria’s capital market continues to grow and evolve, we believe its infrastructure must continually respond to the needs of investors and market participants. This review is about identifying areas where we can reduce friction, improve accessibility and support greater participation, while continuing to provide the secure, resilient and efficient infrastructure on which the market depends.”

Mr. Shantali further stated:
“We see this as part of our broader responsibility to support the development of a deeper, more inclusive and innovative Nigerian capital market. We will continue to invest in our technology and capabilities while working closely with our stakeholders to ensure that CSCS remains responsive to the changing needs of the market.”

As a critical financial market infrastructure, CSCS provides depository, clearing and settlement services that underpin activities across Nigeria’s capital market. The organisation continues to invest in technology, cybersecurity, operational resilience and service innovation to strengthen the efficiency and reliability of Nigeria’s post-trade ecosystem.

The revised pricing forms part of a broader focus by CSCS on enhancing the experience of investors and market participants, supporting greater retail participation, enabling innovation across the ecosystem and contributing to the continued development of Nigeria’s capital market.

CSCS remains committed to working with regulators, exchanges, market operators and other stakeholders to identify opportunities to improve market efficiency, strengthen infrastructure and support sustainable growth across the ecosystem.
About CSCS

The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) is a Public Limited Company with a diversified shareholder base, including the Nigerian Exchange Group, some of the largest banks in Nigeria, private equity firms, investment banks and other corporate and individual shareholders. With over two decades of operation, serving as the Central Securities Depository for the Nigerian Capital Market, CSCS has been pivotal to the growth and transformation of the capital market, including its audacious full dematerialization of share certificates and shortening of the settlement cycle in the capital market.

CSCS serves as the Central Depository for Equities, Commercial Papers, Corporate Bonds, Sub-National Bonds, certain Sovereign Bonds (such as the FGN Sukuk and the FGN Savings Bond), Equity-traded Funds, Real estate Investment Trusts, Mutual funds and Commodities. CSCS is licensed and regulated by the

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The activities of CSCS are governed by the Investment and Securities Act 2007, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2004, and the SEC Rules.

Leveraging digital technologies, CSCS serves its participants, institutional investors, and retail investors through varying channels, including its web portal, www.cscs.ng; online and mobile applications; web chatbot; Data Exchange platforms; and customer service call center, 070 CALL CSCS—070022552727 or 01 448 0500, amongst others.

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A statement released today by Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President, (Information and Strategy), reads further; “For clarity, the matter is a civil records-disclosure dispute under the United States Freedom of Information Act. It is not a criminal case against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, nor has the court found him guilty of any criminal wrongdoing.

Here is the background to the case, which comes 23 years after the American Consulate in Lagos, in a letter dated February 4, 2003, informed the then Inspector General of Police, Mr Tafa Balogun, that an FBI records check found no criminal arrest records, wants, or warrants for then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In 2022, Mr Aaron Greenspan, who is known to work with Nigerian opposition figures including David Hundeyin and Atiku Abubakar, submitted FOIA requests to several United States government agencies seeking records relating to President Tinubu. After the agencies withheld certain records or declined to confirm or deny their existence, Mr Greenspan commenced Civil Action No. 23-1816 before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in 2023.
The court subsequently permitted President Tinubu to participate in the proceedings as an intervenor.

During the proceedings, the Defendants asserted the “Glomar defence, a standard defence that US law enforcement agencies invoke from time to time. It simply means the government agency is not “in a position to deny or admit” the existence of an investigation. It protects government personnel and the techniques and sources law enforcement agencies use to investigate and prosecute crimes.

Based on the invocation of this defence, the United States District Court granted summary judgment in favour of the CIA, EOUSA, Department of State, Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It ruled that they be removed from the proceedings, leaving aspects of the claims involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration for further consideration.
In compliance with the court’s orders, the FBI and DEA produced 399 pages of records, with portions redacted under exemptions provided by United States law. The Plaintiff challenged the FBI and DEA’s decisions to redact portions of the documents produced.
The FBI and DEA, through the United States Department of Justice (USDoJ), pushed back against the Plaintiff’s requests. The FBI and DEA rejected the application to produce the documents without redactions for the following reasons:
1. Some of the documents are protected from being revealed to the public by law, for example, Grand Jury proceedings. The law exempts transcripts of Grand Jury proceedings from public disclosure. The Pen Register Act also protects from disclosure information about certain court order(s) authorising or approving the installation and use of a pen register or trap and trace device. (FOIA Exemption 3)
2. Some of the documents fall squarely within the attorney-work product and attorney-client privileges. Some documents contain instances where FBI and DEA agents sought and/or received legal advice from USDoJ attorneys. (FOIA Exemption 5)
3. Some of the documents were prepared for law enforcement purposes. (FOIA Exemption 5)
4. Some of the documents contain information which, if revealed, could lead to an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. (FOIA Exemptions 6 and 7(C)).
5. Some of the documents, if disclosed, will reveal the identities of confidential sources or compromise the techniques that law enforcement agencies use in investigating crimes. (FOIA Exemptions 7(D) and 7(E))
President Bola Tinubu, on advice of his lawyers, has also asserted his rights as guaranteed by FOIA Exemption 7(C).

The Plaintiff has until September 11, 2026, to file any opposition and reply to the Defendants’ and Intervener’s processes, while the FBI, DEA and the Intervenor have until September 18, 2026, to respond to the processes that the Plaintiff might have filed.

The release or withholding of records under FOIA does not, by itself, establish criminal liability. The case concerns access to government records and the proper application of statutory exemptions.

The Nigerian media should note that this case is exclusively within the control of Judge Beryl A. Howell of the United States District Court. She will determine its outcome, based on the evidence, applicable law, and the parties’ arguments, not the wishful preference of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar or his agent, Mr Von Batten.

Recent public commentary by Mr Karl von Batten has inaccurately portrayed him and his client as central to the proceedings. Neither is a party to the case.
The litigation is a civil records-disclosure dispute under FOIA. It does not constitute a criminal charge, trial, or judicial finding against President Tinubu. The FBI and DEA have produced records with redactions, and the remaining question is whether those redactions are lawful.

The United States District Court will decide that issue based on the filings and applicable US law, not political commentary.

The Presidency therefore urges the media and the public to distinguish verified court proceedings from partisan speculation.

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Following the inauguration of the new committees, the NIA now has a total of 16 Technical Committees.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Director-General of the NIA, Mrs. Bola Odukale, described the Association’s technical committees as an essential platform for advancing the industry.

She explained that the two new committees were inaugurated in response to calls from Governing Council members and other industry stakeholders for dedicated committees to address emerging issues and reinforce professional practice in these key segments of insurance.

Mrs.Odukale noted that the Agricultural Insurance Technical Committee will focus on promoting best practices in agricultural insurance, while strengthening members’ capabilities in underwriting and claims management for agricultural insurance business.

The DG further stated that the Reinsurance Technical Committee will focus on reinsurance matters and practices, while enhancing the capacity of member companies in reinsurance underwriting and claims management.

As part of the inauguration, members of the two Technical Committees were briefed on their roles, responsibilities, and expected contributions to industry growth. Thereafter, elections were held to put the leadership structures of both committees in place.

For the Agricultural Insurance Technical Committee, Leonard Okoroafor of AIICO Insurance Plc emerged as Chairman, Baron Omiji of Guinea Insurance Plc became Deputy Chairman, while Adebayo Olukolajo of Leadway Assurance was elected Secretary, and Ndidi Nkeonyeasua Olagunju of Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) emerged as Assistant Secretary.

For the Reinsurance Technical Committee; Helen OSADUNKWU of Cornerstone Insurance Plc was elected Chairman, Ochuko Efenure of Zenith Insurance Plc emerged as Deputy Chairman, while Uwem Offong of NSIA Insurance was elected Secretary, and Otoikhila Godskingdom of Emple Insurance became Assistant Secretary.

With the inauguration of the two new committees, the NIA has reaffirmed its commitment to building technical capacity, encouraging collaboration, and promoting standards to support the sustainable growth and development of the Association and the wider Nigerian insurance industry.

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NNPC Ltd. has released its Monthly Report Summary for July 2026.

Cumulative statutory payments for January to July 2026 reached NGN7,913 Billion, up from NGN6,286 Billion for January to June 2026, reflecting a month-on-month addition of NGN1,627 Billion. Similarly, upstream pipeline availability was sustained at 100% for the second consecutive month.

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Under the proposed rules, the regulations would apply nationwide to all persons offering online forex trading services to residents of Nigeria, whether operating through platforms incorporated in Nigeria or from outside the country.

The SEC listed Introducing Brokers, online forex brokers and broker-dealers, and technology and platform providers among the entities that would be subject to the rules.

Offshore forex platforms would also fall under the proposed framework if they target Nigerian residents through their websites, mobile applications, trading platforms or client onboarding portals.

The SEC said an offshore entity would be considered within the scope of the rules if it allows Nigerians to open or maintain trading accounts, advertises its services to Nigerian residents or uses Nigerian influencers, affiliates, introducing brokers, training providers, seminars, webinars or social media campaigns to attract customers.

The proposed rules would also cover offshore operators using the naira, Nigerian market references, Nigerian contact details or Nigeria-specific promotional materials in connection with their services.

Platforms with representatives, agents, affiliates, introducing brokers, training providers or customer-support channels in Nigeria would similarly be covered.

The SEC further proposed that offshore entities with Nigerian-resident clients, or those conducting business in a manner indicating an intention to provide online forex CFD trading services to Nigerians, would fall within the regulatory framework.

The proposed rules also seek to cover any person who carries on, or purports to carry on, activities regulated under the framework.

The move signals a broader attempt by the Nigerian capital market regulator to bring online forex CFD activities and offshore operators targeting Nigerian investors within a defined regulatory framework.

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The programme, which commenced  17 August 2026, brings together women and young livestock producers for structured training, cooperative development and greater access to formal financial and market systems.

Leadway Assurance is the programme’s insurance partner, providing the risk protection component designed to help participating producers protect livestock assets and reduce the financial impact of unforeseen losses. 

The initiative aligns with a broader national effort to modernise Nigeria’s livestock economy. The Federal Government’s National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy targets an increase in the sector’s contribution to the economy from approximately US$32 billion to at least US$74 billion by 2035, with finance, data management, animal health, infrastructure, and women and youth participation among the areas identified for intervention. 

Speaking at the launch, Oluwafumilayo Amina Momoh-Orimoloye, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oriyon International Limited, said the programme was built around the need to ensure that livestock producers, particularly women and young people, are not excluded from the opportunities emerging within a more formal and technology-enabled livestock sector. 

“There is enormous productive capacity among women and young livestock farmers, but many still operate without the structures, records, market connections and institutional support that can help them grow. EEWYLA is about changing that. We are bringing producers together, improving their technical and business capabilities and creating a pathway that connects what happens on the farm to finance, insurance, technology and ultimately the market. Our partnership with Leadway also reflects our belief that sustainable growth in livestock agribusiness must be matched with the right protection. As we equip producers with training, traceability, financial literacy and market access, it is equally important that they are able to manage the risks that could threaten that progress. Bringing insurance into the programme helps create a stronger foundation for participants to build business resilience, and recover quickly from financial shocks” 

EEWYLA is designed to organise individual smallholder livestock producers into structured cooperative clusters while equipping them with knowledge in livestock production and breeding, cooperative governance, financial and digital literacy. The programme is being implemented within a broader ecosystem involving Oriyon International Limited, which coordinates physical livestock production, aggregation and farm-level implementation, and Rumer Technologies Limited, which provides the digital infrastructure for producer and livestock identification, traceability and transaction records. 

Fatona Ayoola, Global Head, Agricultural Risk Solutions at Leadway Assurance, said the combination of producer education, formal organisation and better data can help create a more sustainable foundation for livestock insurance.  

“Insurance becomes more effective when there is better visibility around the asset being protected. Bringing producers into structured cooperatives, improving livestock management practices and creating verifiable records around animal health, ownership and movement can strengthen both risk assessment and claims management. Our engagement with EEWYLA is therefore not simply about providing an insurance product. It was about helping participants understand that protecting an agribusiness should be part of building it. As these producers improve their skills and expand their operations, we want them to be better positioned to absorb shocks, recover and continue producing.” 

For Leadway, the increasing availability of verified livestock and producer records presents an opportunity to strengthen the way risks are understood and managed within a segment of agriculture that has historically been difficult to insure at scale. 

About Leadway Assurance 

Leadway Assurance is one of Nigeria’s foremost non-banking financial services groups, offering diversified solutions across insurance, pensions, health, and asset management. Founded in 1970, the company has built a legacy of trust and innovation, serving millions of individuals and businesses across Nigeria and West Africa. 

About Oriyon International Limited

Oriyon International Limited is the physical production and aggregation arm of an integrated agribusiness ecosystem building Nigeria’s first end-to-end, digitally traceable halal livestock value chain — from smallholder producer to processed, export-compliant product. Oriyon’s mandate is production and aggregation: goat and small-ruminant ranching, cooperative-based supply consolidation, and the development of mechanised, AAA-classified halal processing infrastructure. Its digital arm, Rumer Technologies Limited (“Rumer”), supplies the trust, traceability and payments layer that makes every animal, transaction and product batch verifiable from farm gate to end consumer. 

The post Oriyon International, Leadway Assurance Launch Livestock Training Programme for Women, Youth at LAUTECH appeared first on Business Today NG.

The company disclosed this in a notice to shareholders and the investing public, that the Board approved the appointment, expressing confidence that he possesses the requisite skills and experience to contribute meaningfully to the Board and support the company’s continued growth.

The notice which was signed  by its Company Secretary, Lovelyn Aniekwe for OOT Nominees Limited, also confirmed that the appointee had successfully completed the necessary process required before his appointment.

Dr. Ohen currently serves as Managing Director and CEO of the Geoff Ohen Group. He holds several board-level leadership positions, including Chairman of Consolidated Resources Ltd, Ekocorp Plc, Owa Oil & Gas Ltd, and Networth Group, which comprises Networth Securities & Finance Ltd and Networth Portfolio & Asset Management Ltd.

He has previously served as Chairman of Piccadilly Insurance Ltd and New Patriot Building Society Ltd, and as a Director of Daily Times of Nigeria Plc. Described as a widely traveled executive and philanthropist, Dr. Ohen is expected to bring strategic vision, business acumen and strong operational expertise to the Board, supporting the company’s strategic leadership and expansion initiatives.

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