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Leadway Assurance Holds Virtual AGM; Pays N38.5bn Claims in 2019

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…Grows Total Assets by 26 to N394bn

Ladway Assurance Company Limited , held its 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM) via a virtual platform in strict compliance with social distancing recommendations by the World Health Organisation, the Federal and the State Governments, as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

At the Virtual AGM, the company presented its 2019 Financial Year results to its shareholders and, among critical announcements made at the Annual General Meeting, was an increase in Claims paid to its policyholders, from N33.9billion in 2018 to N38.5billion in 2019. The company also posted stronger balance sheet size which enlarged by 26% from N312billion recorded in 2018 to N394billion in 2019 in support of a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of N90.6billion in 2019, itself with an increase of 4% from N87.5billion in 2018. The company attributed the growth in its GWP to a boost in its composite business, specifically via the Specialty Life portfolio.

Speaking during the company’s AGM, the MD/CEO, Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale, reiterated Leadway’s continued commitment to its policyholders through prompt Claims payment, as the bedrock of the company’s business. With this, the company has now paid over N136billion in Claims in the last six years.

“We continue to demonstrate our commitment to our loyal customers through our customer services delivery channels, underpinned by a motivated team, outstanding brokers and agents, innovations and technology.

“I am proud that we have transmitted the principle of devoted customer-focus into a five-decade legacy that would continue to be the compass with which we steer the next half-century of operational excellence. With our balance sheet strength and technological innovations, we are confident of maintaining market leadership, whilst deepening insurance penetration to our youthful African population,” Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale said.

In his remark, the Chairman, Board of Directors, General Martin Luther Agwai (CFR) acknowledged the outstanding strategic leadership qualities, vision, and the prudence the erstwhile Managing Director, Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale retired from the company after 38 years of dedicated stewardship.

He welcomed Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale “to chart the next path and phase of growth for Leadway to become a global competitor of the next generation’s reference.”

He maintained that the company is in pole position to meet the new regulatory requirements for recapitalization of the industry. “The prudence of the company’s Management over the years has prepared us for the regulations of today where we are in a good position to comply with the minimum share capital requirement without the exigency for any call on shareholders. I am also happy to inform you that the regulator has approved the company’s recapitalization plan and extended full compliance timeline till 31st December”, the Chairman added.

Leadway Assurance is one of Nigeria’s foremost insurance service companies with a reputation for service efficiency and customer reliability. The organization is committed to bridging the financial protection gap and increasing the rate of insurance penetration in Nigeria.

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FIRSTBANK MARKS SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE: ₦1 TRILLION IN INSTANT DIGITAL LOAN DISBURSEMENTS

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 FirstBank, a leading financial institution and provider of financial inclusion services in West Africa, announces the achievement of ₦1 trillion in cumulative instant digital loan disbursements. This accomplishment further consolidates the Bank’s reputation for innovation, leadership in financial inclusion, and commitment to customer empowerment within.

Since its inaugural digital loan in August 2019, FirstBank has developed an unconventional and robust digital lending ecosystem designed with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to improve access to finance, especially to the high-risk customer segment. The Bank created a multi- channel loan disbursement service that requires no collaterals, zero documentation and is void of human interactions. Through its FirstAdvance, FirstCredit and AgentCredit products, 1.5 million unique borrowers enjoyed instant and secure access to credit. This is irrespective of whether they are salary earners, non-salary earners, or micro business owners. They also have the convenient options of accessing these loans through platforms such as *894# (FirstBank’s USSD service), FirstMobile, LitApp and the FirstMonie Agent App.

Regarding this milestone, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products at FirstBank, stated: “This success underscores our ongoing commitment to innovation and a customer-focused approach, which are central to FirstBank’s core values. Beyond achieving substantial figures, we remain dedicated to fostering opportunities for financial independence across Nigeria in particular, and in Africa at large.’’

He added, “We value the trust our customers place in us to support their financial aspirations. Our efforts to advance digital lending will persist, especially to the excluded and underserved customer segments, while effectively managing risks in the process.”

FirstBank currently disburses about N1 Billion daily in digital loans, demonstrating its commitment to fostering an inclusive, technology-driven future for Nigerians. By consistently investing in advanced technologies and developing customised financial solutions, the Bank seeks to improve the financial well-being of individuals and businesses across the nation.

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FIRSTBANK PARTNERS UNGC TO DRIVE SUSTAINABLE FINANCE AND UNLOCK CAPITAL FOR DEVELOPMENT

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FirstBank, the West Africa premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has strengthened its partnership with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) to reaffirm its commitment to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development. This ongoing partnership was reinforced at the recently concluded Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in Seville, Spain.

 The FfD4 Conference brought together global leaders, policymakers, and private sector experts to discuss innovative solutions to address the growing SDG financing gap and unlock capital for development in fragile and underserved regions.

FirstBank’s Chief Risk Officer, Patrick Akhidenor, represented the bank at the conference and highlighted two FirstBank flagship initiatives driving resilience finance in Nigeria: The Solar Equipment Financing initiative and the revamped FirstGem Fund. The Solar Equipment Financing initiative offers tailored financing options for the purchase and installation of solar power systems, ensuring access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions. The FirstGem Fund, a women-focused proposition, provides single-digit interest loans to women entrepreneurs without collateral requirements, targeting funding gaps in critical sectors.

‘’We are committed to driving sustainable finance and unlocking capital for development,” said Patrick Akhidenor. “Our partnership with UNGC and participation in the FfD4 Conference demonstrate our dedication to innovative finance solutions that address the SDG financing gap.”

Sanda Ojambo, CEO of UNGC, emphasized the need for innovative, inclusive financial models for underserved regions. “The private sector must play a central role in shaping fit-for-purpose, scalable finance solutions,” she said. “De-risking tools and blended finance can help unlock capital and drive meaningful impact.

FirstBank’s partnership with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and its SMEConnect hub demonstrate its capacity to lead efforts in sustainable finance. The bank provides training, networking, and tailored financing to SMEs across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and retail

 

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Access Holdings Reaffirms Strategic Growth Plan from Expansion to Optimisation

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Access Holdings PLC, the parent company of Access
Bank, has reaffirmed its long-term strategic blueprint anchored on a deliberate and
structured progression: scale, optimise, and sustain.
This roadmap, which has driven the Group’s aggressive expansion across Africa and
into key global markets, is now entering a crucial optimisation phase, expected to unlock
significant value for stakeholders as the organisation heads toward 2027.
Speaking on the strategy, Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, noted:
“Our approach has always been clear: scale first through strategic expansion, then
optimise through consolidation, synergy realisation, and operational efficiency. During
the scale-up phase, a considerable amount of funding is required to drive investments in
people, systems, infrastructure, and acquisitions.
“But as we move deeper into the optimisation phase, we will begin to see the full benefits
manifest, especially in terms of profitability, capital efficiency, and shareholder returns.”
Access Holdings’ five-year strategic plan, which runs through to 2027, also places
financial inclusion and impact at the core of its growth agenda. By expanding digital
access and scaling low-cost delivery platforms, the Group aims to onboard millions of
previously unbanked and underserved individuals and MSMEs across Africa into the
formal financial system. This is part of a broader strategy to enhance intra-Africa trade,
empower smallholder businesses, and strengthen the value chain across key sectors
including agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing.
The Full Year 2024 financial results demonstrate that the Group’s investments are
already yielding meaningful outcomes. Gross earnings rose to N4.878 trillion from
₦2.594 trillion in 2023, while profit before tax increased by 19% to N867.0 billion. Total
assets surged by 55.5% to N41.498 trillion, reinforcing Access Holdings’ position as one
of Africa’s most formidable financial services institutions.
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