BY OUR REPORTERS—Heirs Insurance Group, has announced the winners of the 2026 Heirs Insurance Hackathon, a competition empowering university studentsto shape the future of digital insurance.
Following a rigorous judging process by industry professionals, the top winners emerged: Team Omnivoicefrom Nnamdi Azikiwe University emerged as the overall winner, taking home the grand prize of ₦5 million; TeamAlafia from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria secured second place with a ₦3 million prize; while Team Von Mises fromLagos State University came third and received ₦1 million.The winning team comprised Unah Chinweotuto, John Justice, and John Trust.
The grand finale, which was held at Heirs Towers, Lagos, brought together brilliant young tech talent, industry experts, and mentors to celebrate innovation in the insurance sector. The maiden edition attracted a significant number of entries from students at higher learning institutions across the country, all presenting fresh, practical ideas aimed at transforming insurance in Nigeria.
Themed “The Future of Insurance: Streamlining Insurance with AI”, the Hackathon reflects Heirs Insurance Group’s strong commitment to youth empowerment, digital skills development, and inclusive innovation. It gave students a real platform to apply emerging technologies to actual challenges in the insurance industry while receiving mentorship and industry exposure.
Speaking at the grand finale, Peace O. Philips, Chief Digital Officer of Heirs Insurance Group, said: “We are truly impressed by the outstanding creativity, technical depth, and practical solutions showcased by these young talents today. This maiden hackathon has exceeded our expectations and clearly demonstrates the immense potential of Nigerian youth to solve real insurance challenges using Artificial Intelligence and digital innovation,” he said.
The Heirs Insurance Hackathon was delivered in partnership with Redtech, the digital payment solutions arm of Heirs Holdings.
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,comprisingHeirs 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 digitalinsuranceplay in Nigeria,demonstratingitsmission todemocratiseaccess to insurance.
Diversified Nigerian conglomerate, TMDK Group, has marked its 25th anniversary with a renewed commitment to expanding investments in Nigeria’s energy, agriculture, manufacturing and industrial sectors.
The silver jubilee celebration brought together employees, business associates, customers, partners, financial institutions and other stakeholders who joined the Group in reflecting on its journey and celebrating a quarter-century of enterprise, resilience and investment.
Founded 25 years ago by Alhaji Amadu Sule Leda, TMDK Group has evolved from a small real estate investment company into a diversified investment group with significant interests spanning downstream petroleum, petroleum infrastructure, logistics, agro-processing and manufacturing.
The milestone, according to the company, represents not only an opportunity to celebrate its achievements but also a platform to reaffirm its commitment to investing in sectors capable of strengthening Nigeria’s productive capacity, creating employment and supporting sustainable economic development.
Speaking at the anniversary celebration, Suhailu Ismaila, Acting Managing Director of TMDK Agro Park, described the Group’s 25-year journey as one defined by resilience, strategic investment and an enduring commitment to Nigeria.
He said the company’s next phase would build on the foundation established over the past two and a half decades by pursuing investments that create long-term economic value.
“Twenty-five years is a significant milestone. It reflects years of resilience, strategic investments and commitment to national development. We are celebrating what has been achieved, but we are equally focused on what lies ahead,” he said.
Expanding Nigeria’s Energy Infrastructure
Over the past 25 years, TMDK says it has established a growing presence in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry through investments in petroleum storage, distribution and logistics infrastructure.
The Group’s petroleum operations are focused on strengthening the supply chain and improving the availability and efficient distribution of refined petroleum products to industrial and commercial customers.
Through its investments in storage and logistics infrastructure, TMDK has continued to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum value chain at a time when efficient storage, transportation and product distribution remain critical to the country’s energy security.
The company said it intends to deepen these investments as part of its broader strategy to support Nigeria’s evolving energy needs and strengthen the resilience of the downstream petroleum supply chain.
From Agriculture to Agro-Industrial Processing
TMDK’s diversification into agriculture has also become a major component of its growth strategy.
At the TMDK Agro Park in Kaduna State, the company is developing an integrated agro-industrial food-processing platform designed to serve both human and animal consumption, while connecting agricultural production with large-scale industrial processing and value addition.
The facility processes maize, soybeans and other agricultural commodities into a range of products, including corn flour, corn grits, edible vegetable oil and animal feed. The company is also developing capacity for the production of pasta and noodles.
David Onabajo, Chief Operating Officer of the Agro Park, said the integrated nature of the facility was designed to create stronger links between farmers, processors and consumers.
According to him, the objective is to move beyond the production and sale of raw agricultural commodities by creating additional value within Nigeria.
“The Agro Park is designed to strengthen local value addition, provide reliable markets for farmers and contribute to Nigeria’s food security by reducing dependence on imported food products,” he said.
The investment is expected to support farmers by creating more reliable off-take opportunities while strengthening domestic processing capacity and expanding employment opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
Investment, Employment and Local Value Creation
The company said its diversification strategy is driven by the belief that sustainable economic growth requires investment in productive sectors capable of generating employment and creating value locally.
The Group’s operations now bring together different elements of the economy, including energy infrastructure, logistics, agriculture and industrial processing.
The anniversary therefore marks a transition from the company’s first 25 years of establishment and consolidation into what management describes as a new phase focused on expansion, innovation and deeper investment.
The Group expressed appreciation to its employees, customers, business partners, financial institutions, regulators and host communities for their contributions to its development.
Tamwakat Barde, Human Resource Manager, said TMDK would continue to prioritise responsible business practices, innovation, operational excellence and employee welfare.
She said the company recognises that its people remain central to its ability to achieve its long-term objectives.
Recognising Employees
The anniversary also provided an opportunity for TMDK to recognise employees whose contributions have supported the company’s growth.
Bilkisu Suleiman, an employee of the Group, recalled receiving the Chairman’s Award Silver Category after joining the company in January 2025.
“I started working with TMDK in January 2025, and by December 2025, I was awarded the Chairman’s Award Silver Category. This award gave me great joy because it meant the time and effort I put into the growth of the company was seen and acknowledged,” she said.
She urged management to sustain initiatives that recognise and reward employees who demonstrate commitment and excellence.
The company said employee welfare and recognition would remain important components of its corporate culture as it enters its next phase of growth.
Giving Back to Host Communities
Beyond its commercial activities, TMDK said it remains committed to supporting communities connected to its operations.
Abba Aminu, Site Operations Manager at the Agro Park, commended the management for its contributions to society through donations and the provision of food supplies during important festive periods, including Sallah, Christmas and New Year celebrations.
He said such initiatives demonstrated the company’s recognition of its responsibilities to the communities in which it operates.
The 25th anniversary comes at a critical period for Nigeria, as the country seeks to attract greater private-sector investment into energy, agriculture, manufacturing and other productive sectors to accelerate economic diversification and improve national productivity.
For TMDK Group, the anniversary is therefore both a celebration of the past and a statement of intent for the future.
The Group said it plans to build on its existing investments by pursuing projects capable of improving energy infrastructure, expanding agro-industrial processing, creating jobs and strengthening domestic value chains.
For Alhaji Amadu Sule Leda, the founder of the Group, the next chapter is anchored on a continuing belief in Nigeria’s potential and the capacity of Nigerian businesses to build globally competitive enterprises from within the country.
Onabajo described the founder as a businessman whose vision continues to shape the Group’s direction.
“Our CEO is a visionary who believes in Nigeria. He is a resilient Nigerian patriot who believes in the Nigerian enterprise,” he said.
As TMDK Group begins its next 25 years, the company says its ambition remains firmly rooted in investment, enterprise and national development — with a strategy centred on building productive assets, creating employment and contributing to the transformation of Nigeria’s energy and agro-industrial landscape.
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BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Heirs Life Assurance on Monday announced the appointment of Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its Board, effective August 10, 2026.
The life company in a statement released today said the appointment reinforces its commitment to expanding financial inclusion and accelerating insurance adoption by strengthening public trust, consumer education, and long-term financial resilience across Nigeria.
The statement added that his appointment brings a unique perspective on community engagement, value-based leadership, and broad societal impact.
Eze is the Founder and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, a growing multinational ministry with 34 branches across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe and North America.
He is also the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD), one of the world’s largest digital prayer platforms, reaching millions of people daily.
Through his ministry and humanitarian initiatives, he has become one of Africa’s most influential voices, championing hope, compassion, and community transformation.
He also the Founder of the Jerry Eze Foundation, a faith- led philanthropy where he provides housing support and grants to vulnerable and underserved communities. In 2026, he announced N1billion in grants to support young entrepreneurs across agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, further advancing enterprise development and economic opportunity.
Before entering full-time ministry, he built a career in development communications, serving as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Abia State University and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Speaking about the appointment, Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Life Assurance, said: “Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities. As we continue our mission to democratise access to insurance, his insight will help strengthen consumer trust, deepen financial inclusion, and reinforce our commitment to protecting the financial future of millions of Nigerians. We are delighted to welcome him to the Board of Heirs Life Assurance and the broader family of Heirs Insurance Group.”
Commenting on his appointment, Pastor Jerry Eze said: “I am honoured to join the Board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry. Financial security empowers individuals, families, and businesses to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and resilience. I look forward to working with the Board and Management to advance the company’s mission of making insurance more accessible, relevant, and impactful for every Nigerian.”
Heirs Life Assurance has become one of Nigeria’s leading specialist life insurance companies, ranking 7th on the Financial Times list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies. It is one of the three insurance businesses of Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents.
Combining an omni-channel digital presence with physical branches spread across the country, Heirs Life continues to redefine life insurance through innovation, customer-centric solutions, and a commitment to making financial protection accessible to every Nigerian.
Heirs Insurance Group, comprising Heirs Life Assurance, Heirs General Insurance, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, collectively serves over 3 million people directly and indirectly. The Group is championing financial inclusion and leading the digital insurance play in Nigeria, demonstrating its mission to democratise access to insurance.