BY EDMOND ODOK – The specialist life insurance company of Heirs Insurance Group, Heirs Life Assurance, has appointed renowned clergy, Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director to its Board, effective August 10, 2026.
This strategic and high-profile appointment brings a massive wave of public trust and visionary leadership to the Heirs Insurance Group’s subsidiary and anchors the company’s bold vision to dismantle barriers to insurance adoption and supercharge financial inclusion across Nigeria.
By leveraging deep community roots, the firm also aims to heavily drive consumer education, build long-term financial resilience for millions of everyday Nigerians, engender consumer education, and long-term financial resilience among Nigerians.
According to a statement by the Company’s management, despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria’s insurance penetration remains below one percent – among the lowest globally, noting that the unfortunate development highlights the need to expand financial protection and build greater public trust in insurance.
The statement said as Heirs Life continues to pursue its mission of making insurance accessible to every Nigerian, Eze’s appointment brings a unique perspective on community engagement, value-based leadership, and broad societal impact.
Acknowledging Pastor Jerry Eze as the Founder and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, a growing multinational ministry with 34 branches across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe and North America, the statement also described him as the Convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD), one of the world’s largest digital prayer platforms, reaching millions of people daily.
It further said: “Through his ministry and humanitarian initiatives, he has become one of Africa’s most influential voices, championing hope, compassion, and community transformation”, adding: “Beyond ministry, Eze is the Founder of the Jerry Eze Foundation, a faith-led philanthropy where he provides housing support and grants to vulnerable and underserved communities.
“In 2026, he announced N1billion in grants to support young entrepreneurs across agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, further advancing enterprise development and economic opportunity. Before entering full-time ministry, Pastor Jerry Eze built a career in development communications, serving as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The statement said Pastor Eze, who holds a bachelor’s degree in history and international relations from Abia State University, also has a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Speaking about the appointment, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Chairman, Heirs Life Assurance, said: “Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities. As we continue our mission to democratise access to insurance, his insight will help strengthen consumer trust, deepen financial inclusion, and reinforce our commitment to protecting the financial future of millions of Nigerians. We are delighted to welcome him to the Board of Heirs Life Assurance and the broader family of Heirs Insurance Group.”
Commenting on his appointment, Pastor Jerry Eze said: “I am honoured to join the Board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry. 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.”
Heirs Life Assurance has become one of Nigeria’s leading specialist life insurance companies, ranking 7th on the Financial Times list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies. It is one of the three insurance businesses of Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents.
While redefining Nigerian life insurance through Heirs Life by blending a nationwide branch network with an innovative, customer-centric digital presence to make financial protection universally accessible, Heirs Insurance Group now serves over three million people across Nigeria through its life, general, and brokerage firms.
The Group, comprising Heirs Life Assurance, Heirs General Insurance, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, is aggressively driving financial inclusion and leading the country’s digital insurance market to democratise coverage.
