Business
NAICOM, Insurers Mourn Former NCRIB President Rotimi Edu
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Barrister Rotimi Edu, mni, FCIB, describing him as a visionary leader and one of the insurance industry’s most influential figures.
In a condolence message signed by the Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of NAICOM, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, the commission said Edu made remarkable contributions to the growth and transformation of insurance broking in Nigeria.
NAICOM noted that during his tenure as President of the NCRIB, Edu demonstrated exceptional leadership, foresight, and unwavering commitment to advancing insurance practice in the country.
The commission described the late insurance expert as a man of rare intellect, innovation, and energy who consistently championed reforms aimed at strengthening the industry.
According to the statement, Edu remained dedicated to the insurance profession and the Council despite personal health challenges, reflecting his passion for service and commitment to the growth of the sector.
“The vacuum created by his passing is enormous, not only for his family and the Quicklink team, but also for the NCRIB and the entire insurance community,” the statement said.
NAICOM added that Edu’s legacy of integrity, courage, and progressive leadership would continue to inspire future generations of insurance practitioners.
The commission extended its condolences to his family, professional colleagues, and the entire insurance industry, while praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Barrister Rotimi Edu, describing his passing as a monumental loss to Nigeria’s insurance industry.
In a statement issued by the association, the NIA said the late Edu was an outstanding leader, accomplished legal practitioner, and a respected figure whose contributions significantly shaped the growth and regulatory development of the insurance sector in Nigeria.
The association noted that Edu, who served as the 21st President of the NCRIB, was widely admired for his commitment to professionalism, ethical standards, and industry unity. According to the NIA, he championed stronger collaboration between insurance brokers and underwriters, helping to deepen cohesion within the sector.
“Barrister Rotimi Edu was a titan whose dedication to professionalism and ethical conduct remained exemplary throughout his career. His passing leaves a huge vacuum that will be deeply felt across the financial services industry,” the statement read.
The NIA further highlighted his strategic contributions as a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, where he consistently advocated reforms aimed at aligning the insurance industry with evolving economic realities.
The association extended its condolences to the President and Governing Board of the NCRIB, the entire brokerage community, as well as Edu’s family, friends, and professional associates.
While mourning his death, the NIA said it takes solace in the enduring legacy of integrity, visionary leadership, and institutional progress he left behind.
The association prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and for strength for his family and the insurance industry to bear the irreparable loss.
The post NAICOM, Insurers Mourn Former NCRIB President Rotimi Edu appeared first on Business Today NG.
President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the planned launch of the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), saying Africa needs financial institutions that better understand the continent’s economies and risks.
The African Union has announced that the agency will officially launch on 7 October in Port Louis, Mauritius.
President Tinubu said the development was another step towards building African financial institutions capable of providing more accurate assessments of the continent’s economies.
The president disclosed this in a post on his official X account on Thursday, recalling that he had advocated for an African credit rating agency in a February 2026 Financial Times article.
He said he also raised the issue at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, in May, where he called for Africa to develop financial institutions that understand its economic realities.
“Africa is not asking for favourable ratings. We are asking for fair ratings, grounded in our fundamentals and in the reforms our economies are actually carrying out,” he said.
Why the agency matters
Credit ratings influence how investors assess the risk of lending to countries and companies. They can also affect borrowing costs and the amount of capital available to governments and businesses.
African governments have repeatedly raised concerns about what they describe as an “Africa premium”, under which African countries may face higher borrowing costs because of how investors perceive the continent’s risks.
The three major global rating agencies, including Fitch, Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings, currently play a major role in assessing African sovereign and corporate borrowers.
President Tinubu, in an article published by Financial Times, argued that African economies were paying too much to borrow because international assessments did not always adequately capture their economic realities.
He cited a 2023 United Nations Development Programme estimate that shortcomings in credit ratings cost African countries about $75 billion annually through higher interest payments and foregone lending.
He also argued that commodity-dependent African economies could be particularly exposed to downgrades during global market downturns, even when their reserves, fiscal positions, and debt profiles remained manageable.
The proposed agency is therefore expected to provide an Africa-focused alternative by taking greater account of local economic conditions and reforms.
The African Union has said that AfCRA will operate alongside existing global rating agencies rather than replace them.
Tinubu seeks investor confidence
In his statement Thursday, the president said the establishment of an African rating agency should not be interpreted as a demand for preferential treatment.
READ ALOS: US court case on Tinubu’s past forfeiture is civil, not criminal matter – Presidency
Rather, he said, the agency must provide assessments based on economic fundamentals and the reforms being implemented by African countries.
He pointed to Nigeria’s experience, arguing that improvements in economic data, fiscal transparency and reforms had contributed to recent upgrades by international rating agencies.
However, he acknowledged that the credibility of AfCRA would ultimately depend on the quality and independence of its assessments.
“AfCRA must now earn the confidence of global capital. That confidence will rest on its independence and the rigour of its work,” he noted.
The launch is scheduled for 7 October in Mauritius, with President Tinubu saying he looks forward to the development.
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