By Bisi Bamishe
L–R: Patrick Okorie, Regional Head, South, Heirs General Insurance; Ijeoma Onwujekwe, Marketing Executive, Heirs Insurance Group; Kayode Kolade, Winner, 2025 Heirs Insurance Retirement Dream Competition; and Andrew Ahwin, Regional Head, South, Heirs Life Assurance; at the presentation of the Heirs Insurance Retirement Award at the winner’s home in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Heirs Insurance Group, Nigeria’s fastest-growing insurance group, has announced the winners of its inaugural Retirement Dream Competition, a nationwide initiative launched to empower retired and soon-to-retire Nigerians to realise their long-held aspirations.
The competition, introduced in August 2025 with a total prize pool of ₦5 million, invited senior citizens aged 50 to 75 to submit a one-minute video describing their retirement dream and how the grant would help make it a reality.
After a thorough review process, Mr. Kayode Kolade, a 51-year-old former public servant from Rivers State, emerged as the overall winner, receiving a ₦2.5 million cash grant, Ms. Rakiya Idris, a 64-year-old retiree from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), came in second, winning ₦1.5 million, while Mr. Sodeke Olusola, aged 60, from Lagos State, finished as the third-place winner, receiving ₦1 million.
The inaugural edition received hundreds of entries, with high participation extending beyond major cities into rural communities across the country, reflecting the deep relevance of retirement planning to Nigerians everywhere.
Speaking on the initiative, Niyi Onifade, MD/CEO, Heirs Life Assurance, applauded the participants for their creativity, resilience, and optimism.
He said: “Retirement is not an end; it is a well-earned season of rest, fulfilment, and new beginnings. The Heirs Insurance Retirement Dream Competition was created to inspire the long-held dreams of senior citizens, encouraging them to live the retirement they truly desire. We remain committed to providing simple insurance to help every Nigerian secure a future where they can thrive, enjoy peace of mind, and reap the rewards of their years of hard work.”
The Retirement Dream Competition is an initiative under the newly launched Heirs Insurance Retirees Club, a community platform designed to connect retirees across Nigeria, offering access to expert advice on financial planning, health, well-being, and post-retirement lifestyle support. Through this initiative, Heirs Life Assurance reinforces its commitment to financial inclusion, lifelong security, and improving the quality of life for Nigerians.
Heirs Insurance Group is the insurance arm of Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents.
With a rapidly expanding retail footprint and an omnichannel digital presence, Heirs Insurance Group, comprising Heirs General Insurance Limited, Heirs Life Assurance Limited, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, serves both corporate and individual customers across Nigeria.
Heirs Insurance Group is championing financial inclusion and leading the digital insurance play in Nigeria, demonstrating its mission to democratise access to insurance.
