The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has said that the 2025 Education Conference of the West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) will highlight insurers’ role in tackling climate change.
The Industry will host no fewer than 250 foreign and local delegates for the 2025 West Africa Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) the Education Conference, scheduled to take place from Sunday, 12 October to Wednesday, 15 October 2025 in Lagos.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Mrs Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, who noted that the NIA is organising the programme on behalf of Nigeria’s insurance market, said the conference would promote regional cooperation among the participants.
According to her, the conference, scheduled for October in Lagos, would equip insurers with tools to manage the evolving climate landscape.
Mrs Nwachukwu said that the meeting will address climate-resilient insurance models, regulatory frameworks, digital claims processing innovations, green underwriting, regional collaboration, and public-private partnerships.
She noted other issues include premium discounts for low-carbon assets and government-backed reinsurance pools to strengthen the industry’s response to climate risks.
The conference will also discuss insurers’ role in safeguarding communities and economies, while aligning with international climate commitments, including the Paris Agreement.
The Chairperson who further revealed that the meeting will bring together delegates from Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and other West African countries , said that the theme of the conference is ‘The West African Insurer in the Face of Climate Change’.
She said “delegates will gain insights into best practices from Anglophone West Africa and engage with leaders shaping climate-aware insurance in the region”.
Confirmed speakers include, the Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, who will deliver the keynote address.
Also expected are Mr Bockarie Kaloko, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Finance; Mr Wole Oshin, Group Managing Director, Custodian Investment Plc; and Dr Abiba Zakariah, Ghana’s Acting Commissioner of Insurance.
She stressed that the participants will also include regulators, government officials, industry professionals, and development agencies.
The conference will provide a strategic platform for deliberations on the impact of climate change on the insurance industry, as well as actionable strategies to safeguard the future of insurance education and practice.
It is particularly important for African insurers to engage in robust discussions on climate change, as the continent faces unique vulnerabilities such as extreme weather events, flooding, drought, and agricultural disruptions that directly impact businesses, communities, and livelihoods”.
The Chairperson said, “For insurers, these challenges translate into rising claims, increased risk exposures, and the urgent need for innovative products and risk management strategies. By coming together at the WAICA conference, African insurers not only strengthen their collective preparedness but also position themselves to engage competitively with their global counterparts in shaping sustainable insurance practices and climate resilience solutions.
She said “Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial hub and one of Africa’s most vibrant megacities, was carefully selected as the host destination of the conference for its unique blend of business dynamism, cultural heritage, and world-class hospitality infrastructure”.
Mrs Nwachukwu said with its strategic role as a financial hub, Lagos provides an ideal environment for fostering cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange among West Africa’s insurance community”.
She added that the LOC have put in place adequate arrangements for the transportation and security of foreign delegates and other participants at the conference to ensure a seamless and safe experience throughout their stay in Lagos.
Reporting by Sherifat Oyediran