Kunle Ahmed, Chairman  NIA, disclosed this during a quarterly briefing with Nigerian Association of Insurance and pension editors in Lagos, this he attributed to unreleased budgetary allocations for MDAs. 

He said “based  on the latest reports, most Federal Government MDAs are facing substantial delays in the release of budgetary allocations for the renewal of their insurance policies for 2025.

According to him, some MDAs’ insurance coverage has already expired, leaving them without protection. Others are reportedly pleading with insurance companies to maintain coverage while they await the release of funds.

He however warned that “this request cannot be accommodated by any insurance company as doing this will be against the “No Premium, No Cover” rule, which NAICOM has been strictly enforcing since 2013.

He noted that “As operators, we are deeply concerned that the delay in releasing funds may result in government workers and assets remaining uninsured, leaving them vulnerable to financial losses in case of unforeseen events. The industry awaits the release of these allocations to ensure continuity of cover and adherence to the “No Premium, No Cover” principle.”

The NIA boss was of the view that the continuous protection of government’s human resources an assets, which potential can contribute to the economic development of the country remains operators  priority as an industry.

On name and shaming of companies with outstanding claims and the details of these complaints,  he said “ he said the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, is promoting transparency and demonstrating commitment to protecting the interests of policyholders.

“It sends a strong message to insurers that the regulator is taking the issue of unpaid claims seriously and is willing to take concrete action to ensure that policyholders receive their due compensation as at when due.

“Whilst most companies will meet their claims obligations, it is believed that the threat of being publicly named and shamed, coupled with potential sanctions for non-compliance, is a strong incentive for insurance companies to prioritize the settlement of outstanding claims and improve their claims-handling processes.

“We should also not lose sight of the fact that by making this information public and launching the NAICOM Complaint Management Portal, the regulator is empowering policyholders to be more informed and to utilize the official channels for resolving their grievances. This can help policyholders who may have felt helpless in the face of delayed or denied claims.

“The publications can also help to identify systemic issues within specific insurance companies or the industry as a whole that contribute to the high volume of outstanding claims. This allows NAICOM to develop targeted regulatory interventions to address these underlying problems.”

On Industry Performance, he said at the end of of Q3 2024 the industry achieved a  robust growth in gross premiums with 61% year-on-year increase in Q3 2024, reaching N1.2 trillion.

This growth according to him was largely driven by the non-life insurance sector, which constituted approximately 69% of the total premium income.

He said within  the non-life business, Fire, Oil & Gas insurance were significant contributors to the increased revenue. All non-life business products showed robust quarter-on-quarter growth.

The life insurance business reported 45% quarter-on-quarter increase in Q3 2024 while Group Life emerged as the largest premium-generating component within the life segment.

“Despite a rise in the net loss ratio in Q2 2024 compared to Q1 2024, the Nigerian insurance market remained profitable overall. The total assets reached N3.9 trillion by the end of September 2024, demonstrating a healthy expansion.”

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The Board Chairperson of Access Bank (Ghana) Plc, Ms. Ama S. Bawuah, presented the financial statements, highlighting the Bank’s impressive performance despite the challenging macroeconomic environment.

Access Bank Ghana’s total assets grew to 22.3 per cent, from GHS 10.057 billion to GHS 12.30 billion, while operating income increased by 40 per cent from GHS1.150 billion to GHS 1.613 billion. The Bank’s Loans and Advances rose by 42.81 per cent.

Ms. Bawuah said, “In 2023, Ghana’s economy was characterised by macroeconomic instability, escalating inflation, and dwindling investor confidence stemming from both domestic imbalances and external pressures. Against the backdrop of global and national economic uncertainties, I am pleased to share that your bank successfully applied valuable insights and industry best practices to achieve substantial growth across key areas in the past year.”

“These achievements underscore our steadfast dedication to navigating challenges and fostering sustainable growth, reaffirming our pledge to serve you with excellence and integrity,” Bawuah added.

Access Bank’s commitment to expansion, innovation, and customer convenience was also showcased, with the implementation of several digital products and services such as the virtual relationship management (VRM) tool to augment customer service support. The Bank also established priority desks to cater to a specific demographic and facilitate the smooth running of business in those areas. These include the Chinese, German, Lebanese, French, and Turkish desks.

Olumide Olatunji, Managing Director, Access Bank Ghana Plc, reiterated the Bank’s resilience and stability. “Despite the prevailing uncertainties, Access Bank maintained a robust performance across key financial metrics, a testament to our prudent financial management and unwavering dedication to our mission. We observed substantial growth in deposits, surging from GHS7.399 billion to GHS9.130 billion, marking a notable 23 per cent increase.”

He added that the Bank achieved a remarkable turnaround by resuming tax remittances to the government. This reversal from a negative contribution of GHS102 million to an impressive 509 per cent increase to GHS419 million underscores our commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustained growth. Concurrently, shareholders’ funds experienced substantial growth, from GHS1.014 billion to GHS1.403 billion, attributed to the transformative strategies implemented in the Bank’s business management practice.

Olatunji thanked shareholders for their support and emphasised the Bank’s commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. “We are proud of our achievements and recognise the trust our customers and shareholders have placed in us. We will continue to innovate, expand our reach, and support Ghana’s economic growth,” he noted.

Mr. Sampson Ashong, the General Secretary of the shareholders praised the Bank’s performance and initiatives citing its resilience and growth potential. “I am thoroughly impressed with the bank’s commitment to sustainability initiatives and employee capacity building. The dedication to creating a positive impact on the environment and society, while investing in the growth and development of their staff is truly commendable. This is evidence that Access Bank is not just focused on financial returns, but also on making a positive difference in the world,” he said.

Shareholders approved all resolutions on the agenda, which included among other things, also saw the re-election of the members of the Board of Directors and one retirement.

The event was a celebration of the Bank’s dedication to its stakeholders and its contribution to Ghana’s financial landscape. As Access Bank Ghana continues to grow and expand its operations, it remains committed to promoting financial inclusion and supporting the country’s economic development.

Since 2009, Access Bank Ghana has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable business practices driving profitable, sustainable growth that is environmentally responsible and socially relevant. These have contributed to the Bank being recognised with various awards in 2023. These include the 2023 Best Bank by Euromoney Awards, Best Retail Bank by Global Brands Awards, Best Digital Bank in Ghana by Digital Banker Africa Awards; and Best SME Banking and Best Bank for CSR by Euromoney Awards.

About Access Bank PLC

Access Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, is a leading full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning 3 continents, 22 countries and over 60 million customers. The Bank employs over 28,000 people in its operations in Africa and Europe, with representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, and the UAE.

Access Bank’s parent company, Access Holdings Plc, has been listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 1998. The Bank is a diversified financial institution which combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities. The Bank services its various markets through three key business segments: Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, and Retail Banking. The Bank has enjoyed what is arguably Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last 18 years, becoming one of the continent’s largest retail banks.

As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.

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