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Investors Applaud Plateau Government’s Agricultural Drive at Horticultural Festival

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Investors and stakeholders in the agricultural sector have commended the Plateau State Government under Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for its deliberate efforts to transform agriculture and boost food security.

The commendation came during the 2026 Horticultural Festival held in Jos, organised in collaboration with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and other development partners. The event took place at the Crispan Suites and Event Center and attracted both local and international investors.

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Leading the delegation of foreign investors, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Bengt van Loosdrecht, praised the state government’s commitment to agricultural development, particularly in horticulture and potato production.

He noted that Plateau’s climate and soil conditions provide a strong advantage for large-scale agricultural production, especially potatoes, and expressed optimism about ongoing collaborations between Dutch companies and local farmers. He also revealed that new seed varieties are being tested and scaled up to improve productivity.

Representing the governor, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Samson Ishaku Bugama, described the festival as a strategic step toward positioning Plateau as a leading hub for horticulture in Nigeria and beyond.

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Bugama emphasized that the state government is prioritizing agricultural excellence, improved seed systems, and increased yields, alongside creating investment opportunities across the value chain, including mechanization, processing, storage, and export.

He disclosed that the state is also developing Special Agro-Processing Zones to enhance export potential and attract investors, adding that Plateau aims to tap into a multi-billion-dollar market in potatoes and vegetables over the next decade.

According to him, Plateau produces about 90 percent of Nigeria’s Irish potatoes and possesses significant potential for expansion due to its favorable climate, fertile volcanic soil, and year-round production capacity.

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Also speaking, the Executive Director of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Chidozie Egesi, highlighted the importance of research and innovation in unlocking the full potential of the potato value chain.

He noted that while Nigeria remains a leading potato producer in West Africa, yields remain below global standards, stressing the need for improved seed systems, mechanization, and stronger partnerships between researchers, investors, and farmers.

The festival featured exhibitions of crop varieties, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, alongside cultural performances showcasing the rich heritage of Plateau communities.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Yilkudi Nengak Elisha, appreciated partners and participants, assuring investors of sustained collaboration and improved outcomes.

The event reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to agricultural transformation, with stakeholders expressing confidence that Plateau is well-positioned to become a major hub for horticulture and agribusiness in Nigeria.

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Business

Rex Insurance Meets NAICOM Minimum Capital Requirement Under NIIRA 2025

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BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Rex Insurance Limited has successfully met the new Minimum Capital Requirement (MCR) prescribed by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) under the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act, (NIIRA) 2025, reinforcing its financial strength, enhancing its underwriting capacity and reaffirming its unwavering commitment to policyholders and stakeholders.

The announcement follows NAICOM’s publication of insurance companies confirmed to have complied with the new capital requirement.

A statement released today by the company, said the achievement reflects the disciplined financial management, strong corporate governance, and strategic vision that have positioned Rex Insurance Limited as a resilient organization committed to delivering greater value to customers while supporting national economic growth.

“It also marks the beginning of a new phase in the Company’s journey, one focused on sustaining capital strength, accelerating profitable growth, enhancing operational excellence, and delivering superior customer value.

Commenting on the milestone, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Rex Insurance Limited, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, said: “Meeting the new Minimum Capital Requirement is a significant milestone in our journey and demonstrates the resilience of our business as well as the confidence of our shareholders in our long-term vision. It also reinforces our ability to honour our commitments to policyholders while positioning us for sustainable growth in an evolving insurance landscape.”

She further emphasized “Our recapitalization marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Rex Insurance. It is not an end, but a strategic foundation for sustainable growth and long-term value creation. With a stronger capitalbase, we are well equipped to increase our underwriting capacity, elevate customer experience, and deepen our investment in technology, innovation, and operational excellence.

“This enhanced financial strength enables us to provide smarter insurance solutions that respond to the evolving needs of our customers, deliver greater value to our stakeholders, support the advancement of Nigeria’s insurance industry, and maintain our unwavering commitment to prompt claims settlement to our policyholders”

Rex Insurance commended NAICOM for its leadership in strengthening the insurance sector through the recapitalization exercise and remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive insurance market.

The insurer expressed its appreciation to its shareholders, Board of Directors, employees, customers, brokers, and business partners for their unwavering support and confidence, which have contributed to this important achievement .

“As the industry enters a new phase of growth, Rex Insurance’s focus now shifts from achieving capital adequacy to sustaining capital strength through disciplined execution, profitable growth, continuous innovation, and exceptional customer experience.”

The Company remains committed to delivering reliable insurance solutions, honouring its promises to policyholders, and creating sustainable value for all stakeholders while strengthening its position as a trusted insurance partner

About Rex Insurance Limited 
Rex Insurance Limited (Rex) is licensed by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to offer the full range of general and special risks insurance products to the insuring public. With decades of experience in the Nigerian market, Rex Insurance has an enviable reputation for technical competence and financial strength.
With a vision of being the “Preferred Nigerian Insurance Company”, our strategic direction within the next 5 years is to focus on growth and profitability with the aim of growing the company’s gross premium written and be amongst the Top-Top-Tier general insurance companies in the market.

Operating from twelve (12) business locations nationwide to ensure maximum outreach and
accessibility, we have an unwavering dedication to our core values of Resilience, Efficiency,
eXellence, Integrity & Teamwork (REXIT).

The post Rex Insurance Meets NAICOM Minimum Capital Requirement Under NIIRA 2025 appeared first on Business Today NG.

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FULL LIST: NIIRA 2025: NAICOM Eyes Liquidation for Non-Compliant Operators

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BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The National Insurance Commission,((NAICOM),  on Monday said only eight insurance companies are yet to be verified by the commission.

The commission disclosed this today while releasing the 43 insurance firms that met the new minimum capital requirements set up by NIIRA

According to NAICOM “The eight insurance companies submitted evidence of compliance shortly before the statutory deadline are currently undergoing final verification and regulatory review.

This, the commission said would be concluded within fourteen days.

Insurance companies not listed among the 43 verified firms include those currently undergoing final regulatory review, as well as unverified operators at risk of liquidation—such as NICON Insurance Plc; Goldlink Insurance Plc Nigerian Reinsurance; Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation ; Royal Exchange Prudential Life Plc;  Tangerine Life Insurance Limited; Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc; African Alliance Insurance Plc; Guinea Insurance Plc; Regency Alliance Insurance Plc; Staco Insurance Plc; Alliance & General Insurance; Universal Insurance Plc; emPle General Insurance Company Nigeria Limited and emPle Life Assurance Limited.

NAICOM had announced the successful completion of the twelve-month insurance sector recapitalization exercise undertaken pursuant to Section 15 and other relevant provisions of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025, signed into law on 31 July 2025 by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of his administration’s financial sector transformation agenda towards the attainment of a US$1 trillion economy by 2030.

The successful conclusion of the exercise marks a defining milestone in the transformation of Nigeria’s insurance industry and signals the beginning of a new era for insurance in the country.

Following the enactment of NIIRA 2025, the Commission commenced a structured implementation process to provide strategic oversight, ensure transparency, support operators throughout the transition, and facilitate the effective implementation of the new minimum capital requirements within the statutory compliance period.

To ensure an orderly, transparent, credible, and verifiable process, the Commission issued the Guidelines on the Implementation of Minimum Capital Requirements (MCR) for Insurance and Reinsurance Companies in Nigeria.

The Guidelines provided detailed guidance on the statutory minimum capital requirements under NIIRA 2025, eligible and ineligible capital instruments, admissible and non-admissible assets, verification and validation procedures, regulatory timelines, reporting obligations, and supervisory expectations throughout the implementation period.

The post FULL LIST: NIIRA 2025: NAICOM Eyes Liquidation for Non-Compliant Operators appeared first on Business Today NG.

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