BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria has unveiled plans for the 2026 edition of Insurance Week as part of efforts to deepen public understanding of insurance and strengthen collaboration across the industry.
Speaking during a virtual press briefing, the President and Chairman of the Institute’s Governing Council, Yetunde Ilori, said this year’s campaign will begin with Jumat prayers on Friday, May 15, which will serve as a prelude to the Insurance Awareness Walk on Saturday, May 16. The walk will commence from the premises of NEM Insurance Plc along Obanikoro Road, Lagos, and end at the National Stadium.
She added that a church service will be held on Sunday, leading to the official opening ceremony on Monday, May 18. Tuesday will feature a series of engagements with MSMEs and schools, while Wednesday will be dedicated to further engagements with market segments. Thursday will feature a hackathon, while Friday, May 22, will host the grand finale, gala night, awards, and ambassador event.
The CIIN revealed that unlike the maiden edition of the programme, where activities were concentrated in selected cities and towns, the 2026 edition will see all state chapters of the institute staging events and activities aimed at sensitising the public.
She explained that the initiative was introduced to create more awareness about the relevance of insurance, encourage engagement among stakeholders, and improve public perception of the sector.
Following the success of the maiden edition held simultaneously in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Kano last year, Ilori said the 2026 programme would expand to include Ekiti, Abuja, Ondo, Owerri, and Abeokuta.
According to her, the activities lined up for the week are designed to project the insurance industry positively, educate Nigerians on the advantages of insurance coverage, and support capacity development among professionals in the field.
Ilori stressed the need for greater public education to address widespread misconceptions about insurance, noting that the industry must engage directly with communities rather than rely solely on office-based campaigns.
She added that introducing younger generations to insurance careers and opportunities remains a major focus of the programme, with the aim of building future talent for Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
Among the activities scheduled for the week are a health and awareness walk, the presentation of two insurance books for primary schools, panel sessions featuring non-insurance professionals discussing their views about the industry, recognition awards for individuals and organisations, the appointment of industry ambassadors, school and MSME engagement programmes, as well as a hackathon demonstration event.
Ilori further expressed confidence that the event would represent another major step forward for the insurance industry, adding that the planned programmes are intended to leave a lasting impact on practitioners, policyholders, and the general public.
She also thanked media organisations for supporting the maiden edition and appealed for continued partnership ahead of the 2026 programme.
Reflecting on last year’s event, she noted that the initiative produced encouraging outcomes, including requests from filmmakers for customised insurance products, improved inclusiveness through the hackathon, and increased patronage recorded by insurance companies and microinsurance agents.
