BY NKECHI NAECHE- ESEZOBOR—The African Insurance Organisation (AIO) on Wednesday inugurated the Managing Director, NEM Insurance Plc, Mr Tope Smart as the 47th President of the Organisation.
The event took place at the 47th AIO Conference in Lagos, Nigeria.
Smart has been a board member of AIO’s executive committee and had already expressed his commitment to the aims and objectives of the organisation.
Smart, who was former chairman of Nigerian Insurers Association ( NIA) took over from Mrs. Delphine Traor, Regional Chief Operating Officer Allianz Africa.
AIO, established in 1972, is the biggest insurance body on the African continent, comprising insurance companies from different countries and with the conclusion of the conference in South Africa, Nigeria is the next to host the 47th edition.
Tope Smart, a graduate and an award winner from the University of Lagos also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is an Associate member of both the Chartered Insurance Institute of London and the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria.
Tope, an astute professional, believes very strongly in the entrenchment of insurance in the mind of every Nigerian.
He is a Council member, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Council member, West African Insurance Companies Association (Ghana), Council member, Nigeria-Britain Association, Vice President, African Insurance Organization (AIO) and a past Chairman of the Nigeria Insurers Association to mention but a few.
Tope sits on the board of several companies amongst which are RegencyNem Insurance (Ghana) Limited and NEM Asset Management Limited. In 2014, he was appointed by the Federal Government as Co-Chairman of Insurance Industry Transformation Committee.
He was also recently appointed as Chairman, Planning Committee of the University of Lagos Alumni Association’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Tope has won several awards amongst which are Distinguished Alumnus by the University of Lagos, University of Lagos Alumni Association Golden Jubilee Special Recognition Award amongst others. He is also a two time winner of the Businessday Top 25 CEOs award.
Tope is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
