Business – Page 9 – National Daily Newspaper

Over 1,100 AI experts call for slower development of frontier artificial intelligence

Over 1,100 AI experts call for slower development of frontier artificial intelligence

More than 1,100 artificial intelligence researchers, engineers and technology executives have signed an open letter urging governments to establish regulatory frameworks that would allow the...

Ecobank's H1 pre-tax profit drops to N584bn despite higher interest income

Business3 weeks ago

Ecobank’s H1 pre-tax profit drops to N584bn despite higher interest income

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) reported a profit before tax of N584.02 billion for the first half of 2026, representing a decline from the N620.23...

Enugu launches ETTW TV to showcase transformation, investment opportunities

Business3 weeks ago

Enugu launches ETTW TV to showcase transformation, investment opportunities

Enugu State Government has launched a new television programme, Enugu to the World (ETTW), to showcase the state’s ongoing transformation, emerging investment opportunities and...

Nigeria's equities market shines again, but can it lure global capital?

Business3 weeks ago

Nigeria’s equities market shines again, but can it lure global capital?

By Arthur Eriye The Nigerian stock market is currently experiencing a resurgence that it has not seen in years. After enduring much of the...

Global oil prices fall to multi-week lows as U.S.-Iran pause eases supply concerns

Energy3 weeks ago

Global oil prices fall to multi-week lows as U.S.-Iran pause eases supply concerns

Global oil prices fell to their lowest levels in more than a week on Tuesday after a temporary pause in hostilities between the United States and...

Marketers face higher costs as Dangote Refinery raises diesel price to N1,650

Business3 weeks ago

Marketers face higher costs as Dangote Refinery raises diesel price to N1,650

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has resumed the sale of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, after an eight-day suspension, but marketers will now pay significantly...

Dollar Weakens, Naira Finds Its Footing: Is Nigeria Finally Breaking Its Currency Cycle?

Business3 weeks ago

Dollar weakens, naira finds footing: Is Nigeria finally breaking its currency cycle?

By Arthur Eriye For a significant portion of the past ten years, the Nigerian economy has followed a predictable pattern: each time the United States...

NCC's Zero-rated learning initiative wins UNESCO endorsement

Business3 weeks ago

NCC’s zero-rated learning initiative wins UNESCO endorsement

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has received commendation from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for its proposed Zero-Rated Access for...

NCC, REA partner to expand digital connectivity, electricity access in underserved communities

Business3 weeks ago

NCC, REA partner to expand digital connectivity, electricity access in underserved communities

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration between the...

Over 70% of Nigerian Insurers Clear Capital Verification as NAICOM Recapitalisation Deadline Nears Experts Say Stronger Capital Base Will Boost Claims Payment, Spur Industry Consolidation More than 70 per cent of insurance companies in Nigeria have successfully completed the independent verification process required under the National Insurance Commission's (NAICOM) recapitalisation programme, signaling significant progress as the industry races to meet the July 31 regulatory deadline. The development was disclosed by the Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mrs. Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday. According to Nwachukwu, the industry-wide recapitalisation exercise has entered its final phase, with the majority of insurers already fulfilling one of the programme's most critical requirements—the independent verification of their capital positions. "We have all paid for these processes, and my company has been verified. More than 70 per cent of the companies have completed the verification exercise," she said. The recapitalisation programme, introduced by NAICOM under the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act, 2025, is designed to strengthen the financial health of insurance companies by raising minimum capital requirements. Regulators believe the initiative will improve insurers' ability to settle claims promptly, underwrite larger risks, and restore public confidence in Nigeria's insurance industry. Monthly Capital Monitoring Nwachukwu explained that since December 2025, insurance companies have been submitting monthly capital position reports to NAICOM, reflecting changes arising from underwriting activities, claims payments, investments, and asset transactions. The reports, she noted, have enabled the regulator to closely monitor each company's compliance journey ahead of the July 31 deadline. In addition, insurers were required to lodge statutory deposits with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) amounting to 10 per cent of the revised minimum capital requirement. According to the NIA chairman, most member companies have complied with the statutory deposit requirement and have submitted evidence of payment to NAICOM. She added that the capital verification exercise is being conducted by independent auditors from the global accounting firms KPMG, PwC, Deloitte, and EY, while the insurance regulator is expected to announce the final outcome of the recapitalisation exercise after the compliance deadline. Industry Poised for Transformation Nwachukwu said NAICOM has continued engaging insurers still facing capital shortfalls in a bid to ensure an orderly transition that safeguards policyholders and preserves financial stability within the sector. She expressed optimism that the exercise would ultimately produce a stronger, more resilient insurance industry capable of supporting Nigeria's growing economy. The recapitalisation drive has already encouraged several companies to raise fresh capital through rights issues, private placements, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. One of the latest companies to achieve compliance is Linkage Assurance Plc, which announced on Monday that it had successfully completed a ₦16.2 billion Rights Issue, enabling it to meet NAICOM's revised capital threshold ahead of the deadline. Industry analysts expect more consolidation across the sector, with financially weaker operators likely to pursue mergers or acquisitions rather than lose their operating licences. NAICOM Rules Out Deadline Extension NAICOM has consistently maintained that the July 31, 2026 deadline remains non-negotiable, dismissing speculation that operators would be granted additional time to comply. Earlier this year, the Commissioner for Insurance, Olusegun Omosehin, assured stakeholders that while the commission remains committed to protecting policyholders and preventing the collapse of licensed insurers, companies must meet the revised capital requirements under the new regulatory framework. The new capital thresholds represent one of the most significant reforms in Nigeria's insurance sector in decades. Under the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act, 2025: Non-life insurance companies are required to increase their minimum capital from ₦3 billion to ₦15 billion. Life insurance companies must raise their capital base from ₦2 billion to ₦10 billion. Reinsurance companies are expected to increase minimum capital from ₦10 billion to ₦35 billion. Experts: Stronger Insurers, Better Protection for Policyholders Insurance and financial market experts say the recapitalisation programme could reshape Nigeria's insurance landscape by producing fewer but stronger operators capable of competing regionally and globally. Financial analyst Johnson Chukwu said stronger capitalisation would improve insurers' ability to absorb shocks arising from large claims and catastrophic events while enhancing confidence among corporate and retail customers. According to him, better-capitalised insurance companies are also more attractive to international investors and reinsurers, creating opportunities for increased foreign investment and improved underwriting capacity. Insurance consultant Dr. Pius Apere noted that consolidation through mergers and acquisitions should not be viewed negatively, arguing that it would produce healthier institutions with stronger governance structures and improved operational efficiency. He added that the reform could also accelerate innovation in insurance products, digital transformation, and risk management practices, enabling insurers to serve a broader segment of the Nigerian economy. However, experts caution that recapitalisation alone will not solve the industry's longstanding challenges. They argue that regulators and operators must also intensify efforts to improve insurance penetration, strengthen consumer education, enforce compulsory insurance policies, deepen technology adoption, and ensure prompt settlement of claims if the industry is to fully realise the benefits of the capital reform. With only days remaining before the regulatory deadline, the coming weeks are expected to determine which insurers emerge independently, which pursue strategic alliances, and how the recapitalisation exercise ultimately reshapes Nigeria's insurance industry for the next decade.

Business3 weeks ago

The Solar Gold Rush: Why Nigerian businesses are betting on renewable energy

As energy costs continue to rise and squeeze profits, businesses are discovering that their greatest competitive advantage may be shining from above. By Arthur Eriye...