By David Akinmola
Heirs Life Assurance has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze, founder and lead pastor of Streams of Joy International, as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the company, effective August 10, 2026.
The appointment, according to the insurer, is part of efforts to strengthen public trust, deepen consumer engagement and accelerate financial inclusion as it seeks to expand insurance adoption across Nigeria.
Eze’s appointment comes at a time when the Nigerian insurance industry is seeking to overcome persistent low public awareness and weak consumer confidence, with insurance penetration remaining below one per cent.
The company said his experience in community engagement, development communications, philanthropy and public outreach would bring a broader societal perspective to the board as Heirs Life pursues its objective of making financial protection more accessible to Nigerians.
Commenting on the appointment, Chairman of Heirs Life Assurance, Tony O. Elumelu, said Eze’s influence and understanding of communities would strengthen the company’s efforts to democratise insurance.
“Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities,” Elumelu said.
He added that as the company continued its mission to expand access to insurance, Eze’s insight would help strengthen consumer trust, deepen financial inclusion and reinforce its commitment to protecting the financial future of Nigerians.
“We are delighted to welcome him to the Board of Heirs Life Assurance and the broader family of Heirs Insurance Group,” Elumelu said.
In his response, Eze said his appointment came at a defining period for the insurance industry, stressing the importance of financial security to individuals, families and businesses.
“I am honoured to join the Board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry,” he said.
According to him, financial security empowers individuals, families and businesses to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and resilience.
“I look forward to working with the Board and Management to advance the company’s mission of making insurance more accessible, relevant, and impactful for every Nigerian,” he added.
Eze is the founder and lead pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, which has branches across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe and North America. He is also the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD), a major digital platform with a large international audience.
Beyond his religious activities, he is the founder of the Jerry Eze Foundation, through which he supports vulnerable and underserved communities with housing assistance and grants.
In 2026, he announced N1 billion in grants to support young entrepreneurs in agriculture, technology and manufacturing, with the objective of promoting enterprise development and economic opportunity.
Before entering full-time ministry, Eze worked in development communications, including as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
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.
Heirs Life said the appointment would support its broader strategy of combining digital and physical distribution channels to make life insurance more accessible to a wider population.
The insurer has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading specialist life insurance companies and was ranked seventh on the Financial Times list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies.
It is one of the three insurance businesses under Heirs Holdings, the pan-African investment company with investments across 24 countries and four continents.
Heirs Insurance Group, comprising Heirs Life Assurance, Heirs General Insurance and Heirs Insurance Brokers, said it currently serves more than three million people directly and indirectly.
The Group has positioned financial inclusion and digital insurance adoption at the centre of its strategy, using technology, physical branches and customer-focused insurance solutions to broaden access to financial protection.
For the wider insurance industry, the appointment highlights the growing importance of consumer engagement and trust in expanding insurance beyond its traditional customer base.
As insurers emerge from the industry’s recapitalisation exercise, analysts say stronger balance sheets alone may not be sufficient to significantly improve penetration unless accompanied by greater public awareness, accessible products and stronger confidence in insurers’ ability to deliver value.
Heirs Life said Eze’s appointment would contribute to its efforts to address those challenges while strengthening its governance and long-term growth strategy.
