By Bisi Bamishe
The Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, has confirmed to deliver the keynote address at opening ceremony of 2025 West Africa Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) Education Conference.
Mrs. Ebelechuwu Nwachukwu,
Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) 2025 WAICA Education disclosed her confirmation at WAICA Press Conference held in Lagos.
According to Mrs Nwachukwu, this year’s conference is being organized by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) with the theme “The West African Insurer in the Face of Climate Change”
The regional conference is expected to bring together insurance practitioners, regulators, policymakers, and thought leaders representing countries across the West African sub-region. Member countries of WAICA, are namely Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia.
The event is scheduled to take place from Sunday, 12th October to Wednesday, 15th October 2025 at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Nwachukwu assured that the conference will provide a strategic platform for deliberations on the impact of climate change on the insurance industry, as well as actionable strategies to safeguard the future of insurance education and practice.
She said, “It is particularly important for African insurers to engage in robust discussions on climate change, as the continent faces unique vulnerabilities such as extreme weather events, flooding, drought, and agricultural disruptions that directly impact businesses, communities, and livelihoods.
For insurers, these challenges translate into rising claims, increased risk exposures, and the urgent need for innovative products and risk management strategies. By coming together at the WAICA conference, African insurers not only strengthen their collective preparedness but also position themselves to engage competitively with their global counterparts in shaping sustainable insurance practices and climate resilience solutions.
Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial hub and one of Africa’s most vibrant megacities, was carefully selected as the host destination of the conference for its unique blend of business dynamism, cultural heritage, and world-class hospitality infrastructure. With its strategic role as a financial hub, Lagos provides an ideal environment for fostering cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange among West Africa’s insurance community”.
On Sunday, 12th October 2025, the WAICA 2025 conference will begin with a cocktail welcome reception at the Insurers House, Victoria Island, in Lagos.
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Conference has assembled an array of eminent local and international insurance industry leaders, dignitaries, and technical experts who will speak on the theme and various sub-themes of the conference.
They include:
• Dr. Abiba Zakaria, Ag. Commissioner of Insurance, Ghana
• Mr. Wole Oshin, Group Managing Director, Custodian Investment Plc
• Mr. Bockarie Kaloko, Deputy Minister of Finance, Republic of Sierra Leone
• Ms. Tola Adegbayi, MD/CEO, Mutual Specialist.
Following the paper presentations, three panel sessions will be held and chaired respectively by:
• Mr. O.S. Thomas, Former Commissioner for Insurance, NAICOM
• Alhaji Mohammed Kari, Former Commissioner for Insurance (NAICOM)
• Ms. Olamipo Adeola, Head, Corporate Communication & Branding, Scib Nigeria & Co. Ltd.
Other programme highlights of the conference include: Monday Evening Soiree – On 13th October 2025, to be sponsored by Africa Reinsurance Corporation, at Eko Hotel & Suites. The closing dinner ceremony on Tuesday, 14th October 2025 at Eko Hotel & Suites, will be ponsored by WAICA Reinsurance Corporation,
Visit to Tourist Sites/ Departure – Wednesday, 15th October 2025.
She added that the LOC has put in place adequate arrangements for the transportation and security of foreign delegates and other participants at the conference to ensure a seamless and safe experience throughout their stay in Lagos
