BY NKECHI BAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), on Friday debunked reports in the media allegedly issued by the management of Niger Insurance Plc, describing it as false, misleading and intended to deceive the public.
According to the commission,the report which was publishedby various media organizations lon July 15, 2026, misrepresented the legal status of Niger Insurance Plc, whose operating licence was revoked in 2022.
The commission disclosed this in a statement made aviation to BusinessTodayNGthat it remains the only Federal Government agency established by law and vested with the exclusive statutory powers to license, regulate, and cancel the licence of any insurance institution in Nigeria.
It said due to the insolvent state of affairs of Niger Insurance and its persistent inability to pay verified insurance claims, NAICOM, in the exercise of its statutory mandate to protect policyholders, cancelled the its licence in 2022. Consequently, Otunba Sanya Ogunkuade, Esq. was appointed by NAICOM as the Receiver/Liquidator of the Company.
NAICOM added that “Following the cancellation of the licence, some former directors of the Company instituted a suit at the Federal High Court in 2022, purposely to challenge the cancellation of the Company’s licence and the appointment of the Receiver/Liquidator.
“Thesuit was struck out by the Federal High Court on 31 January 2023 on the grounds that the Plaintiffs lacked the power to institute the suit after the appointment of the Receiver/Liquidator, whose appointment had been duly registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“The decision of the Federal High Court validated the cancellation of the Company’s licence and the appointment of the Receiver. An appeal by the Plaintiffs to the Court of Appeal by the Plaintiffs in the above suit was also struck out on 27th February 2025 by the Court of Appeal. A further appeal by the Plaintiffs to the Supreme Court is still pending
It added that an appeal against the judgment was also dismissed by the Court of Appeal on February 27, 2025, while a further appeal remains pending before the Supreme Court.
NAICOM noted that another suit filed by the same group of former directors resulted in a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court on June 5, 2026.
However, the Commission said the judgment is already being challenged at the Court of Appeal, where applications for a stay of execution have also been filed by both NAICOM and the Receiver/Liquidator.
The regulator maintained that the June 2026 judgment cannot override the earlier Court of Appeal decision, which upheld the cancellation of Niger Insurance’s licence.
The Commission also disclosed that some former directors whose names appeared as plaintiffs in the latest suit had written to disclaim any knowledge of the action, alleging that their names were used without their consent.
It further revealed that it has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as the unlawful activities of individuals allegedly parading themselves as the management of Niger Insurance Plc.
According to the Commission, the petition seeks to prevent attempts to interfere with or dispose of the company’s assets, which are meant to satisfy legitimate insurance claims and other obligations.
The Commission reiterated that Niger Insurance Plc remains prohibited from underwriting new insurance business and that its affairs continue to be managed exclusively by the Receiver/Liquidator.
The commission also advised thegeneral publicto distance themselves from any person or group of persons purporting to act for or on behalf of the Company, other than the lawfully appointed Receiver/Liquidator
While reassuring that the company’s licence remains revoked, its former board and management remain dissolved, and the Receiver/Liquidator will continue to administer the company’s assets pending the final winding-up of its affairs.
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced the exit of Eyitope Kola-Oyeneyin, an Independent Non-Executive Director on its board.
MTN Nigeria disclosed this in a statement released on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and signed by Uto Ukpanah, the company’s secretary, on Friday.
The telecommunications giant noted that Mrs Kola-Oyeneyin’s exit will take effect from 31 August, although MTN did not state the reason for her exit in the regulatory filing.
She joined the company’s board in December 2024.
The company extolled Mrs Kola-Oyeneyin’s contributions to the board and wished her success in her future endeavours.
“The Board extends its appreciation to Mrs. Kola-Oyeneyin for her invaluable service and wishes her the best in her future endeavours,” the company said.
Profile
Mrs Kola-Oyeneyin is a systems change leader and transformation expert with over 20 years of global experience as a senior adviser, operating executive, and policymaker across multiple African countries.
She is the Managing Partner of Augmentum Advisory, where she advises senior leaders on growth and value creation through digital transformation, policy innovation, and large-scale programme execution.
The outgoing independent director is also experienced in digital financial services and has extensive knowledge of the financial services landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In July, the federal government approved her appointment as Chairperson of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).
Mrs Kola-Oyeneyin previously served as Head of First Bank’s International Banking business and as a Partner and inaugural co-lead of McKinsey’s Payments and Fintech Practice for Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
She has worked with players across Africa’s financial services value chain and led the development of initiatives including Cashless Lagos and the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities (SANEF) agent banking programme, which contributed to efforts to expand financial inclusion in Nigeria.
MTN Nigeria, which began operations in the country in 2001, is one of Nigeria’s largest telecommunications providers, serving more than 92 million people across the country and operating in 19 markets in Africa.
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Nigeria is facing significant outbreaks of cholera and diphtheria, with more than 65,000 suspected cholera cases recorded across 35 states and about 195 Local Government Areas. More than 10,000 confirmed diphtheria cases have also been reported in 2026.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed the figures in Abuja while providing an update on the country’s response to both outbreaks.
The NCDC has intensified disease surveillance and deployed National Rapid Response Teams to affected states, including Borno, which has recorded the highest number of cholera cases. Teams are investigating transmission sources and assessing water, sanitation and chlorination gaps.
To control cholera, authorities are bringing treatment closer to affected communities while expanding oral rehydration points, strengthening treatment centres, improving water chlorination and conducting oral cholera vaccination in high-burden areas.
The response to diphtheria is focused on reactive vaccination, early detection and treatment, particularly in Kano, Borno and Bauchi, where cases remain concentrated. Healthcare workers have also been urged to quickly identify, report and manage suspected cases.
The NCDC stressed that federal intervention alone cannot end the outbreaks. States and Local Governments must strengthen immunisation, improve access to safe water and sanitation, repair critical infrastructure and ensure communities have adequate treatment and rapid-response services.
Although declining cholera cases and improved survival rates are encouraging, the NCDC warned against complacency. Communities are advised to use safe water, practise good hygiene, prepare food safely and seek medical attention early. Anyone with frequent watery diarrhoea should begin oral rehydration immediately and visit a health facility, while parents and caregivers should ensure children are fully vaccinated against diphtheria.