Heirs Life appoints Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director to strengthen financial inclusion, consumer trust and insurance adoption

Heirs Life Assurance, the specialist life insurance company of Heirs Insurance Group, has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director of its Board, effective August 10, 2026.

Also read: NANS Opens Promising Business Grant for Students

The appointment was announced in Lagos and is part of Heirs Life Assurance’s broader effort to strengthen public trust, improve consumer education and accelerate insurance adoption across Nigeria.

Nigeria’s insurance penetration remains below one per cent, despite the size of the country’s economy and population.

The low level of coverage continues to highlight the need for greater financial protection and stronger public confidence in insurance products.

Against that backdrop, Heirs Life said Eze’s appointment would bring additional perspectives on community engagement, value-based leadership and social impact as the company works to make insurance more accessible.

Eze is the Founder and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, which has 34 branches across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe and North America.

He is also the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration, popularly known as NSPPD, a large digital prayer platform with a global audience.

Beyond his religious work, Eze has been involved in humanitarian and community initiatives through the Jerry Eze Foundation, which provides housing support and grants to vulnerable and underserved communities.

In 2026, Eze announced N1 billion in grants for young entrepreneurs working in agriculture, technology and manufacturing.

The initiative is designed to support enterprise development and expand economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

Before becoming a full-time pastor, Eze worked in development communications.

His professional experience included serving as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and working with the United Nations Population Fund.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Abia State University and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Life Assurance, said Eze’s experience and influence would contribute to the company’s efforts to deepen financial inclusion.

“Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities,” Elumelu said.

He added that Eze’s insight would help Heirs Life strengthen consumer trust, expand access to insurance and reinforce its efforts to protect the financial future of Nigerians.

Eze described the appointment as an opportunity to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s insurance sector at an important point in its evolution.

“I am honoured to join the Board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry,” Eze said.

He added that greater financial security could give individuals, families and businesses the confidence and resilience needed to pursue their aspirations.

Eze said he looked forward to working with the company’s Board and management to make insurance more accessible, relevant and impactful for Nigerians.

The appointment comes as Heirs Life continues to position itself as a specialist life insurer focused on expanding financial protection through digital and physical channels.

The company has branches across Nigeria and combines its digital platforms with physical distribution channels as it seeks to reach more customers.

Heirs Life is one of three insurance businesses under Heirs Holdings, alongside Heirs General Insurance and Heirs Insurance Brokers.

Together, the three businesses serve more than three million people directly and indirectly, according to the company.

Heirs Life has also received international recognition, ranking seventh on the Financial Times list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies.

The wider Heirs Holdings group has investments across 24 countries and four continents, with interests spanning several sectors of the African economy.

For Heirs Life, Eze’s appointment comes with a particular focus on trust and financial inclusion, two areas that remain central to the challenge of expanding insurance coverage in Nigeria.

The company believes his experience engaging large communities, combined with his background in development communications and philanthropy, can support its efforts to make life insurance more accessible to a wider section of the population.

Also read: NANS Opens Promising Business Grant for Students

The move also reflects the growing emphasis on consumer awareness and financial resilience as Nigeria’s insurance industry seeks to reach more households and businesses.