Business

Senate Passes Bill to Rename NAICOM as Insurance Regulatory Commission

Published

3 months ago

July 22, 2026

BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill seeking to rename the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) as the Insurance Regulatory Commission.

If enacted, the proposed law will establish an Insurance Regulatory Commission and repeal the existing legislation that established the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

Under the proposed framework, the new regulatory body would be responsible for providing guidance to the Federal Government on policies concerning natural disaster risks and other important issues affectcing the insurance sector.

The bill was sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East).

Presenting the report, Abiru said “The current National Insurance Commission Act 1997 is outdated and does not adequately address the emerging economic growth, needs and development of the insurance business.”

“Despite its the commission’s vsignificant contributions, the enabling law has become obsolete, failing to align with current realities and global best practices, and unable to keep pace with the evolving nature of the insurance industry, exposing numerous gaps in the law and necessitating urgent amendments,” he said.

Regarding administrative leadership, Abiru explained that the draft law outlines precise criteria for director appointments, guaranteeing that solely qualified specialists with backgrounds in risk mitigation, law, financial systems, corporate management, and underwriting obtain leadership seats.

He noted further that this updated statute equips the agency to offer enhanced strategic guidance and supervisory control, driving the expansion of the nation’s coverage market

The post Senate Passes Bill to Rename NAICOM as Insurance Regulatory Commission appeared first on Business Today NG.

Related Topics:bill Commission Insurance NAICOM passes regulatory Rename senate

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Why Nigeria is lucky to have Tinubu as leader now – Oyedele

Published

6 hours ago

October 15, 2026

PlateauReports

Nigeria’s Finance Minister and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, on Wednesday said the country is fortunate to have President Bola Tinubu at the helm of affairs at a time of economic challenges and global uncertainty.

Mr Oyedele made the remark on Wednesday on the sidelines of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, where he praised the president for his willingness to implement difficult economic reforms and his understanding of economic and monetary policy issues.

“I say to myself every time that Nigeria is lucky to have a leader like Mr President,” the minister said.

“A leader that says ‘I’ll do the right thing, even when it’s not popular’. There are so very few of them, and our president is not saying it; he’s doing it, he’s doing it even with pre-election (concerns),” he added.

Since assuming office in May 2023, the Tinubu administration has introduced a series of economic reforms, the impact of which international institutions like the World Bank and the IMF have acknowledged

The reforms include the removal of costly petrol subsidies, which had been a major drain on public finance for years, the unification of the foreign exchange rates and the sharp devaluation of the naira to attract foreign capital.

Although abolishing fuel subsidies has boosted government revenue and is seen as an investor-friendly move, it has triggered a cost-of-living crisis and spurred inflationary pressures.

Reforms in the foreign exchange market have helped increase accretion to external reserves, which stood at $55.1 billion as of 9 October, its peak level in over 18 years.

The banking sector also underwent a recapitalisation exercise that ended in March and helped Nigerian banks raise N4.7 trillion in new capital.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, the recapitalisation strengthened banks’ capital adequacy ratios, keeping the sector above international Basel benchmarks.

Mr Oyedele said President Tinubu possesses two attributes uncommon among leaders, notably those of democratic governments.

READ ALSO: AFC appoints Cardoso as board chairman

The first is his willingness to do what he considers right, even when the decision is unpopular or politically difficult.

“I remember at least three issues that were discussed with him recently, and on my own I would offer to say ‘maybe we wait until after the election’. And his question is always, ‘Is it the right thing to do?’ Yes, yes, it is. Why do we have to wait?” Mr Oyedele said.

“Number two attribute is that our President gets it. It’s not easy to understand issues to do with the economy, finance, monetary policy, like respect for the independence of the monetary authority. For Mr President, it’s 100 per cent,” he added.

The minister added that the president’s position on such matters has made it unnecessary for officials to discuss the issue with him repeatedly.

“We don’t even talk about it. So, I feel like we are so blessed, we cannot afford to wait even one minute,” he said.

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Business

AFC Appoints CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso as Board Chairman

Published

14 hours ago

October 14, 2026

PlateauReports

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as Chairman of its Board of Directors.

He succeeds the immediate–past Chair, Ireti Samuel-Ogbu, who served the Corporation meritoriously during her tenure and continues to serve as a board member.

Cardoso brings extensive experience spanning international banking, investment management, economic policy and public sector leadership.

Since assuming office as Governor of the CBN in September 2023, he has led a far-reaching programme of monetary, financial-sector, and institutional reforms to restore macroeconomic stability, strengthen policy credibility, and rebuild investor confidence in Nigeria’s economy.

Under his leadership, the CBN has implemented significant reforms to Nigeria’s foreign exchange market, addressed longstanding foreign exchange obligations, strengthened monetary policy transmission, and enhanced institutional governance and transparency.

The Bank has also concluded a recapitalisation programme for the banking sector, aimed at strengthening the resilience and capacity of Nigeria’s financial system to support sustainable economic growth.

Prior to his appointment as Governor, Mr Cardoso built a distinguished career in international banking and public service, including a 12-year tenure as Chairman of Citibank Nigeria and service as Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State.

In the latter role, he contributed to economic planning and fiscal management in one of Africa’s largest economies.

He holds a degree from Aston University in the United Kingdom and a master’s in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School, where he also served on the Alumni Board.

Mr Cardoso’s appointment comes as AFC continues to expand its role in financing and developing strategic infrastructure assets that address Africa’s infrastructure gap, accelerate industrialisation and strengthen regional integration.

His experience in financial sector reform, institutional governance and capital markets will providevaluable perspective on the Corporation’s strategic direction as it mobilises investment to unlock Africa’s economic potential.

Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mr Cardoso as our Board Chairman. He shares our conviction that Africa’s lasting stability depends on its productive capacity. His leadership will strengthen AFC as we advance The Africa We Build 2050, mobilising African capital to build the infrastructure and industries that create jobs, prosperity and dignity for our people. We also sincerely thank Mrs Samuel-Ogbu for her dedication and contribution to AFC‘s board during her tenure.”

Mr. Cardoso commented on his appointment, saying: “A more productive Africa is a more stable Africa. AFC has the credibility and track record to mobilise capital and build the infrastructure and industries that drive transformation. I look forward to working with the Board, management and member states to advance The Africa We Build 2050. Our measure of success must be the productive capacity we create, the industries we enable and the jobs we support.”

AFC continues to advance transformational infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa, with recent milestones including achieving financial close on the US$753 million Lobito Corridor Railway Project in Angola, to support the rehabilitation, upgrade, and long-term operation of the 1,300-kilometre brownfield rail corridor; supporting a US$600 million facility for Dangote Group’s US$7 billion fertiliser expansion programme to scale production in Nigeria; and committing to a combined US$300 million investment alongside Vision Invest in WIOCC Group to accelerate the expansion of critical digital infrastructure across the continent. These investments reflect AFC’s unique approach to developing strategic infrastructure platforms that connect markets, strengthen industrial value chains and mobilise capital at scale to drive Africa’s economic transformation.

About AFC

AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.

Nineteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 49 member countries and has invested over US$20 billion in 36 African countries since its inception.

The post AFC Appoints CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso as Board Chairman appeared first on Business Today NG.