By David Akinmola
As international travel into Nigeria rises and millions of visitors are expected to move across the country during peak travel period, Leadway Assurance has introduced a short-term insurance cover aimed at protecting visitors and businesses from financial losses arising from unforeseen incidents during temporary stays.
The insurer initiated the Leadway Arrival Pack in Lagos, describing it as a flexible protection solution for Nigerians in the diaspora, tourists, business travelers, students and other short-term visitors, as well as businesses that provide services to them.
The cover comes against backdrop of increasing passenger traffic and heightened economic and social activities during festive and religious periods, when hotels, transport operators, event centre, restaurants, retailers and other businesses typically experience increased patronage and exposure to risk.
Speaking at the presentation of the new cover, Executive Director, Retail and Partnership, Leadway
Assurance, Kikelomo Ficher, said the product was developed to give visitors and businesses greater peace of mind during temporary stays and periods of increased activity.
Fischer said international passenger movements into Nigeria increased from 4.33 million in 2024 to 4.85 million in 2025, representing about 12 per cent growth.
She noted that the increase in passenger traffic also meant greater exposure to unexpected risks, making flexible and temporary insurance protection increasingly relevant.
According to her, the Arrival Pack provides protection tailored to peak travel periods, giving visitors greater confidence while offering businesses additional assurance as they serve a growing number of customers.
The significance of the product, however, extends beyond the travelling public, as peak periods often expose businesses and individuals to risks that can result in substantial financial losses if they are uninsured.
For visitors, particularly Nigerians retuning from the diaspora and foreign travelers who may spend only a few weeks in the country, the availability of short-term cover provides an alternative to conventional insurance arrangements that may not align with the duration of their stay.
For businesses, the cover could also provide an additional layer of protection during periods when higher customer traffic, events and commercial transactions increase their exposure to unforeseen incidents.
Leadway identified the 2026 festive season, particularly December, as a major period for the product, citing expected increase in travel, diaspora homecomings, social gatherings, events and commercial activities.
The insurer said the Arrival Pack would not be restricted to the Chrismas period as it is also intended for other periods of increased activity, including Easter and Eid celebrations.
For the broader insurance market, the growing movement of people and expansion of tourism, entertainment and commercial activities present an opportunity to make insurance protection more relevant to everyday economic activity, particularly where a single unexpected event can impose significant financial costs on individuals and businesses.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the launch, a policyholder, Adeyemi Olusegun, said the availability of the cover would give visitors greater assurance during their stay, particularly as unforeseen incidents could result in financial losses that may be difficult to absorb.
For businesses, the cover could also provide an additional layer of protection during periods when higher customer traffic, events and commercial transactions increase their exposure to unforeseen incidents.
