Meet The 52nd President/Chairman Of Governing Council Of CIIN, Mrs Yetunde Olubunmi Ilori
…Unveils ‘EPIC’ As Her Administration Agenda
In a few days from today the leadership baton at the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), will be handed over to Mrs Yetunde Olubunmi Ilori, as the 52nd President/Chairman of the Governing.
Bear Bryant in one of his quotes said “If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride – and never quite, you will be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.”
Mrs Yetunde Olubunmi Ilori, is a typical example of the above statement expressed by Bear Bryant. She exemplifies dedication, leadership, and integrity in the insurance industry.
Her significant contributions have profoundly shaped the landscape of insurance in Nigeria and beyond, making her a beacon of excellence in her field.
Mrs. Ilori began her insurance career with Trans Nigeria Assurance Company Limited in Ibadan in Year 1984, first as a place of her primary assignment during her youth service and was subsequently employed as a permanent staff of the Company.
She quickly rose to the position of Head of the Life and Pensions Department. Yetunde later headed the Claims and Reinsurance department due to her dedication and skills. In Year 1997, she joined Crusader Insurance Plc in Lagos State, where she served as Head of Actuarial, Research & Statistics and Life Departments respectively.
In Year 2004, Yetunde transitioned to AXA Mansard Insurance Plc (formerly Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc), where her strategic leadership as Managing Director/CEO transformed the company into a leading insurance provider in Nigeria. Under her tenure, the company’s gross premium income grew from N27million to over N13 billion and it expanded into various new product lines.
Her exemplary leadership continued as the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA).
She was the First Female DG/CEO and the First Female Chairperson of the Life Committee of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO). During her tenure, she oversaw the completion of the NIA’s iconic six-storey building and the implementation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) Motor, Marine, Building Insurances and lately Group life assurance, and Nigerian Insurance Platform (NIIP), enhancing the credibility of insurance products in Nigeria. Also, the manual compilation and presentation of statistical reports Digest became digitalized thereby making for ease reference and analysis.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Ilori, has held several prominent positions, including Chairperson of Life Committee of the AIO, Chairperson of the Life Offices Committee of the NIA, and Chairperson of the Planning Committee of the Insurance Industry Consultative Committee.
She has served the Institute as the Chairman, Finance and General Purposes Committee, Treasurer, Deputy President and Immediate Past Chairman of the Governing Board of the College of Insurance & Financial Management.
Mrs. Ilori is a graduate of Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos, an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (London), an Associate of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria and a Fellow of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria.
She is a product of the Advanced Management Programme from Lagos Business School, in addition to attending several training courses within and outside the Country.
Meanwhile, Mrs Ilori will be inaugurated as the 52nd President/Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) during investiture ceremony on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, to be organised in her honour by CIIN.
To make a remarkable difference that will remain indelible in the history of the institute, Ilori has released the theme of the agenda of her administration.
The theme of her administration agenda, she said, is summarized in a four-letter acronym ‘EPIC’.
“EPIC as a word means awesome, spectacular, an exceptionally long and arduous task (usually difficult).”
According to her, It can be said to be ambitious and artistic goal but I am encouraged by this saying “So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable”.
Speaking at a pre-investiture press conference at the Institute’s Secretariat at Ebute Metta, Lagos Mrs Ilori said the theme ‘EPIC’ “was chosen after taking a critical look at our industry, assessing where we are and where we should be.
This acronym encapsulates our commitment to Education, Professionalism, Institutional Recognition, and Capacity Building within and outside the insurance industry.”
Emphadising the need to intensify awareness campaign about insurance, she said “There is a critical need to bridge the knowledge gap about insurance. We must move beyond simple awareness campaigns and empower the public with real education. Technology is our key to:
Promising to use technology as key to reaching new audiences; transforming learning within the industry; building expertise through partnerships and creating a business school model for insurance, Mrs Ilori said : “We will leverage existing channels and institutions to deliver insurance education outside the industry. Imagine insurance as a core subject in secondary schools or a focus for training programs. This will significantly enhance insurance literacy across the nation.
“For our members, we will embrace e-learning. Partnerships with established platforms will provide convenient and engaging learning experiences. Imagine preparing for exams with a whole new approach, one that is effective and enjoyable.
“Executive training opportunities will be a cornerstone of our initiative. By partnering with reputable institutions, both local and international, we will offer certification programs that elevate professional skills.
“We will create a tiered training program modelled after business schools. From entry-level to executive levels, our Institute will become the premier destination for insurance education in Nigeria.
