DEVELOPMENT
Gov. Alex Otti Pledges Strong State Support for Insurance Sector Reform, Backs NCRIB Initiatives to Deepen Insurance Penetration and Restore Public Trust in Abia
The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed the readiness of his administration to support the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) in its efforts to strengthen and reposition the insurance sector for greater transparency, trust, and wider public acceptance.
Governor Otti made this commitment on Tuesday while receiving a high-powered delegation of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), led by its President, Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe, at Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking during the courtesy visit, the Governor emphasized that insurance, when properly explained and driven with integrity, could be simplified and made trustworthy for Nigerians. He observed that the sector had, over the years, been plagued by negative perceptions arising from poorly explained policy documents and hidden exclusions, which often left policyholders frustrated when making claims.
According to Governor Otti, these long-standing challenges contributed significantly to why insurance remained one of the most difficult products to sell in Nigeria. He, however, noted that the emergence of the NCRIB had helped to correct these anomalies by serving as a bridge between insurance companies and customers, thereby ensuring transparency, accountability, and protection for the insured.
The Governor expressed optimism over the Council’s growth, describing it as encouraging that NCRIB now boasts about 600 registered insurance brokers nationwide. He also commended the proposals presented by the delegation, particularly those seeking government involvement in driving broader insurance adoption in Abia State, describing them as innovative, reasonable, and timely.
Governor Otti explained that while the traditional role of government was to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, the presentation before him suggested a more proactive role for government in accelerating insurance penetration across the state.
“In the past, what often happened was that individuals entered the insurance industry and presented documents that people barely read and by the time one appended a signature, there were exclusions hidden in tiny print that ruled out exactly what one intended to insure.
“The emergence of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers has helped to address this problem by standing in the gap between insurance companies and their customers.
“It is also interesting to note that you have about 600 registered insurance brokers.What you have presented is reasonable, even though it appears novel.
“Ordinarily, Government’s role is to provide an enabling environment and allow businesses to operate freely, while critically evaluating interventions.
“However, this appears to be a call for Government to step into the arena and drive the process, as I understood you.
“I have no problem with that, as long as value is delivered, particularly to the insured,” Governor Otti said.
To ensure smooth implementation of the proposed initiatives, Governor Otti directed his Special Adviser on Internally Generated Revenue, Dr. Emmanuel Okpechi; Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor; and his Technical Assistant, Mr. Charles Egonye, to immediately liaise with the NCRIB team to fine-tune the details of the programme. He expressed confidence that implementation could commence as soon as the necessary arrangements were concluded.
The Governor also thanked the Council for choosing Umuahia as the host city for its 2026 CEOs’ Retreat, assuring the delegation of the Abia State Government’s full support towards ensuring a successful and impactful event.
Governor Otti further expressed strong confidence in the leadership of Mrs. Ezeibe, noting that her tenure would take the NCRIB to greater heights. He stressed the importance of competence, professionalism, and continuous capacity building in the insurance industry, while also highlighting the need to attract young people into the profession.
In this regard, the Governor referenced the Abia Leadership Academy, which trained about 1,000 youths last year as part of deliberate efforts by his administration to groom a new generation of competent leaders and professionals for the future.
Reiterating his administration’s philosophy of fairness and inclusiveness, Governor Otti stated that Abia State remains open and non-discriminatory, emphasizing that appointments under his government are strictly based on merit rather than sentiment or patronage.
He assured the NCRIB delegation that Abia is ready to welcome investors and businesses, inviting them to establish operations in the state as partners in development.
Earlier in her address, the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe, highlighted the critical role of insurance in driving sustainable economic development. She stressed that infrastructure growth and commercial revival must be underpinned by effective risk management frameworks to ensure long-term success.
Mrs. Ezeibe emphasized that sustainability lies at the heart of economic progress, describing insurance as a vital instrument for business continuity, protection of public assets and private investments, and strengthening the social contract between government and citizens.
According to her, increased insurance penetration supports private sector growth, enhances tax compliance, and creates a virtuous cycle of stability and development across the economy.
She also drew attention to recent reforms under the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIRA) 2025, which expanded compulsory insurance coverage nationwide. In addition, she disclosed plans by the Council to establish an insurance brokerage marketplace in Aba, aimed at extending micro-insurance services to traders and small-scale businesses.
Mrs. Ezeibe explained that the initiative would protect vulnerable enterprises, create employment opportunities through enforcement and compliance mechanisms, and serve as a replicable model for expanding insurance access in other states of the federation.
Commending Governor Otti’s administration, Mrs. Ezeibe praised the Governor for reversing years of infrastructure decay in Aba and other parts of Abia State. She noted visible improvements in markets and road networks, which, she said, have significantly revived commercial activities.
She recalled that Aba, once the commercial hub of Eastern Nigeria, had suffered prolonged neglect that weakened trade and export activities, adding that the current administration had successfully changed that narrat
ive through deliberate and focused governance.