Mr. Eddie Efekoha, president of the governing council, The Chartered Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has said the body will step up efforts towards increasing insurance awareness and education in higher institutions both in Nigeria and abroad.

Efekoha was spoke during a press conference in Lagos and explained that dearth of quality and quantity of human resources are major issues that the institute must continue to address in order to keep the industry relevant.

For this reason, the insurance body has chosen to make Advancing Insurance Education and Professionalism the theme of his tenure.

He said that the programmes to be executed under this theme are to advance Insurance education, professional development and infrastructural development which he believes will promote inclusion and drive awareness within the industry.

He promised that his administration will make CIIN examinations more accessible and affordable for students and will promote the emergence of a new generation of insurance professionals through a mentorship programme for young insurance professionals (MPYIP).

CIIN, according to Efekoha, will look at other efforts to attract young professionals into the insurance profession, this include partnering NYSC, by visiting orientations camps and spread the gospel of insurance and that the institute will extend such visit to orientation camps outside Lagos to achieve a national spread.

Mr. Efekoha said his administration will continue with the distribution of Insurance textbooks to outstanding states of the federation through their various Ministry of Education and also equip accredited Insurance departments in tertiary Institutions.

The Chartered Institute of Nigeria has been collaborating with some Nigerian universities and has worked hard for the accreditation and establishment of new Insurance programmes and departments in tertiary institutions in the country, adding that University of Lagos now offers M. SC Risk Management,  Delta State University for a master degree in Insurance and financial management. Adding that interested students can now go to Babcock University, and University of Jos for B. SC degree course in Insurance.

A dedicated fund of N50 million which is part of funds from NAICOM would be used for development of its college of Insurance and financial management he explained.