Orimolade Unveils Bold Agenda as 53rd CIIN President

Veteran insurance executive pledges transparency, innovation, digital transformation and stronger industry collaboration to reposition Nigeria’s insurance sector for sustainable growth.
Nigeria’s insurance industry is poised for a transformative chapter following the inauguration of Mr. Akinjide Orimolade as the 53rd President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), with the accomplished insurance executive unveiling an ambitious roadmap designed to strengthen professionalism, expand insurance penetration, accelerate digital innovation and position the sector as a stronger contributor to Nigeria’s economic development.With more than 28 years of distinguished experience in the financial services industry, Orimolade assumes the presidency at a time when the insurance sector is seeking to improve public confidence, deepen market penetration and embrace technology-driven growth.   Speaking after assuming office, the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited said his administration would pursue reforms anchored on transparency, accountability, measurable performance and continuous stakeholder engagement.
According to him, the Institute will focus on strengthening professional standards, modernising its operations, promoting ethical conduct, enhancing insurance education and increasing awareness of insurance as a critical tool for financial protection and national economic resilience.
He explained that every initiative under his leadership would be subjected to periodic performance reviews to ensure measurable outcomes that benefit members of the Institute, insurance practitioners and the Nigerian economy.
“The implementation of these initiatives will be guided by transparency, accountability, measurable performance indicators and periodic reviews to ensure that the administration delivers meaningful and sustainable outcomes for all stakeholders and the wider insurance industry,” Orimolade stated.
A Career Built on Excellence
Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished insurance professionals, Orimolade has built an impressive career spanning nearly three decades across insurance, risk management and financial services.
As the pioneer Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited, he has been instrumental in building one of Nigeria’s leading insurance companies, championing customer-centric products, operational excellence and innovation.
Before joining Stanbic IBTC Insurance, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Insurance Company Limited, Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc and AIICO Insurance Plc, where he successfully led business transformation initiatives, expanded market share and improved corporate performance.
His regional experience also includes serving as Regional Director for West Africa at Liberty Life, where he supervised strategic expansion initiatives and strengthened the company’s presence across West African markets.
Earlier in his career, Orimolade gained extensive technical and underwriting experience at Sovereign Trust Insurance and Bullion Insurance Brokers, experiences that laid the foundation for his rise as one of the industry’s foremost executives.
Academically, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Insurance and a Master of Science Degree in Marketing from the University of Lagos, alongside a Diploma in Risk Management from York University, Canada.
Vision for a Stronger Insurance Industry
Beyond his corporate achievements, Orimolade has remained deeply committed to advancing Nigeria’s insurance profession.
A Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria and former Deputy President of the Institute, he has served on the Governing Council, contributing significantly to policy development, professional education and institutional reforms.
He is also an active member of the Nigerian Insurers Association and the Nigerian Institute of Management, where he has continued to advocate for improved corporate governance and professional excellence.
Under his administration, CIIN plans to strengthen professional certification, improve continuing education programmes, leverage technology to modernise professional practice and encourage greater collaboration among regulators, operators, educational institutions and other stakeholders.
The new President also intends to intensify insurance awareness campaigns across the country to improve public understanding of insurance and increase penetration, a longstanding challenge within Nigeria’s financial services sector.
Industry analysts believe improved awareness, stronger professional standards and increased adoption of technology could significantly expand insurance coverage, improve consumer confidence and support broader financial inclusion.
Building Public Trust
Stakeholders believe Orimolade’s extensive leadership experience across several of Nigeria’s largest insurance institutions uniquely positions him to lead the Institute through one of the most important periods in its history.
His emphasis on ethical practice, innovation, digital transformation and measurable performance is expected to reinforce confidence in the insurance profession while encouraging greater participation by individuals, businesses and institutional investors.
Orimolade expressed confidence that the successful implementation of his administration’s programmes would strengthen professionalism, foster innovation, increase insurance awareness and ultimately build a resilient, inclusive and globally competitive insurance industry.
He noted that a stronger insurance sector would not only provide greater financial protection for Nigerians but also support investment, job creation and national economic growth.
As Nigeria continues to pursue economic diversification and financial inclusion, many industry observers believe the new CIIN President’s reform agenda could become a defining moment in repositioning insurance as a critical pillar of sustainable national development.
New CIIN President Akinjide Orimolade unveils an ambitious reform agenda focused on professionalism, digital innovation, insurance awareness and deeper market penetration to strengthen Nigeria’s insurance industry and support economic growth.
A new era begins for Nigeria’s insurance industry. Newly inaugurated CIIN President Akinjide Orimolade has unveiled a bold reform agenda focused on professionalism, innovation, digital transformation and expanding insurance penetration to drive sustainable economic growth.