Business

NAICOM Targets Market Stability, Recapitalization and ESG Growth Through UNDP Partnership

Published

5 months ago

April 16, 2026

Preport

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L-R Mr Ikenns Orji, Mr Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon (Deputy Commissioner finance and administration; National Insurance Commission), Mr Henry Akwitti (Leader of the delegation), Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin (Commissioner for Insurance National Insurance Commission), Mr David Rueller, (member of the delegation), Dr Usman Jankata (Deputy Commissioner technical National Insurance Commission)and Mr Joseph Eta.

BY NKECHINAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The National Insurance Commission, (NAICOM), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s insurance sector through a renewed partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with a focus on market stability, industry recapitalization, and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.

During a courtesy visit by the UNDP delegation to the Commission, both parties outlined strategic priorities aimed at expanding insurance access, enhancing regulatory capacity, and developing innovative climate and disaster risk solutions to improve resilience and deepen insurance penetration across the country.

Speaking during the visit, the UNDP Regional Specialist, Mr. David Mueller, expressed appreciation for the Commission’s leadership and reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s insurance sector.

He highlighted UNDP’s interest in scaling the Lagos Flood Risk Insurance Model, strengthening systemic capacity, including actuarial development and enabling insurers to mobilize domestic capital for sustainable investment.

The UNDP delegation also pledged continued support for the implementation of ongoing reforms in the Nigerian insurance industry, drawing on lessons learned from previous UNDP supported projects within the sector.

In his response, the Commissioner for Insurance welcomed the UNDP team and expressed gratitude for their sustained support to the Nigerian insurance industry. He outlined five strategic pillars underpinning NAICOM’s reform agenda and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to a transparent recapitalization process, fostering innovation, and creating an enabling environment to significantly enhance insurance penetration in Nigeria.

The Commissioner noted that the recently enacted Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 provides a robust legal framework for strengthening consumer protection, enhancing regulatory capacity, improving financial soundness, promoting innovation and sustainability, and expanding market access and penetration.

He further explained that the ongoing industry recapitalization exercise, with the first phase scheduled to conclude on 31 July 2026, is designed to reinforce the financial stability and resilience of insurance institutions. To support operators, NAICOM has established dedicated support mechanisms, including a Recapitalization Committee, to guide the process.

The Commissioner also affirmed NAICOM’s commitment to institutionalizing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and sustainable insurance practices through the development of an in house NAICOM ESG Framework, building on prior diagnostic work and toolkits developed in collaboration with partners such as FSD Africa and UNDP.

Both parties agreed on the urgent need to rapidly scale actuarial capacity across the insurance industry through coordinated systemic capacity building initiatives, including the GAIN programme and strategic partnerships with actuarial service providers.The meeting further explored options to revive and advance a national catastrophic insurance scheme, to be implemented collaboratively by NAICOM, UNDP, and relevant disaster management agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

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Business

FG Continues NEMSAS Rollout, Strengthens Emergency Care and Hospital Infrastructure in Bauchi

Published

6 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Preport

The Federal Government has continued the nationwide rollout of the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) with the deployment of new ambulances to selected health facilities in Bauchi State, alongside the unveiling of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facility at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH).

The interventions, unveiled by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, are part of the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), particularly Pillar 4, which focuses on improving the health security of the nation.

The NEMSAS ambulances will strengthen emergency referrals across selected facilities, including Toro General Hospital, Gamawa Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Misau, ATBUTH and the Fistula Centre in Ningi. The Bauchi deployment builds on the Federal Government’s continuing rollout of NEMSAS across the country, following recent deployments in Plateau and Ogun States.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Pate said timely access to emergency care is essential to saving lives, particularly in communities where distance and inadequate referral capacity can delay life-saving care. He urged beneficiary institutions to ensure the ambulances are properly utilised, maintained and integrated into referral pathways.

The Minister also highlighted the Federal Government’s broader investments in Bauchi’s health system, including the ongoing expansion of ATBUTH, the Federal Medical Centre in Misau, the North-East Vesicovaginal Fistula Centre in Ningi and the revitalisation of more than 100 primary healthcare centres through federal-state collaboration. Earlier in 2026, the Federal Government deployed approximately ₦10 billion worth of medical equipment, medicines, ambulances and maternity kits to health facilities across the state.

At ATBUTH, the newly unveiled CNG facility, aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of energy use within the hospital, forms part of efforts to strengthen the infrastructure that supports hospital operations. The ongoing expansion of the teaching hospital is expected to increase capacity for tertiary and specialised services. The Federal Government is also investing in advanced diagnostics and cancer care to bring specialised services closer to citizens and reduce the need for patients to travel outside the state for essential care.

Prof. Pate said the investments demonstrate the administration’s focus on translating policy commitments into practical improvements in the health system. He added that the Federal Government would continue to work with the Bauchi State Government, health institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that investments in emergency care, infrastructure and specialised services translate into improved access and better health outcomes for the people of Bauchi State.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains committed to its mandate to save lives, reduce both physical and financial pain, and produce health for all Nigerians.

The post FG Continues NEMSAS Rollout, Strengthens Emergency Care and Hospital Infrastructure in Bauchi appeared first on Business Today NG.

Business

Nascon, Coronation, Jaiz Bank top stock pick this week

Published

14 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Preport

Nigerian stocks advanced by 2.9 per cent last week, lifted by bank and oil & gas equities. All the sector indexes appreciated during the week.

The main equity index has yielded 60.5 per cent so far this year.

“Recent broad-based declines have, however, brought several frontline and mid-cap stocks to more attractive entry levels. This could encourage some bargain-hunting during the week,” analysts at Meristem Securities said in a note ahead of the week.

PREMIUM TIMES has assembled some stocks with sound fundamentals, adopting rigorous approaches to save you the risk of picking equities at random for investment.

The pick, a product of an analytical market watch, offers a guide to entering the market and taking strategic positions, with the expectation that selected stocks will record reasonable price appreciation with the passage of time.

This is not a buy, sell or hold recommendation but a stock investment guide. You may need to involve your financial advisor before taking investment decisions.

Nascon

Nascon tops this week’s list for its strong fundamentals. The net profit ratio (NPR) of the salt maker is 9.3, while the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is 11.5x. Its 14-day relative strength index (RSI) is 6.9.

Coronation Insurance

Coronation appears on the pick on the basis of its attractive fundamentals. The NPR of the insurer is 22.7, while the PE ratio is 5.2x. The 14-day RSI is 55.4.