College of Insurance advances learning, professional development for industry growth
College of Insurance and Financial Management (CIFM), Ogun State, Nigeria’s premier institution for insurance education, has pushed the need for learning and professional development among practitioners to move the industry to greater height.
Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, the President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), speaking at its third edition of Learning and Development Confab held at the College, Themed: “Nurturing Excellence: Unlocking Human Potential through Effective Talent Management”, emphasized the importance of collaboration and feedback, and called for professional inputs on how the College could better serve the insurance industry in terms of learning and manpower development.
In a welcome address, the Chairman of the College Board, Mr. Akinjide Orimolade, represented by Mrs. Arusiuka Adetutu, highlighted the importance of equipping Learning and Development professionals with the requisite set skills needed for effective administration and leadership.
Orimolade said, “As we navigate the complexities of our rapidly evolving landscape, it is clear that our people are our greatest assets. We will continue to engage in thought-provoking discussions, share best practices, and explore cutting-edge strategies for talent management. Let us work together to nurture excellence, unlock human potential, and drive success in our organizations.”
On her part, the Rector of the College, Dr. (Mrs.) Chizoba Ehiogu, highlighted the relevance of the conference theme as the conference serves as an opportunity to exchange knowledge, exploring innovative strategies, and foster collaborations that drive sustainable growth.
Dr. Ehiogu said: “In an era of rapid technological advancements, dynamic workforce demands, and evolving business environments, continuous learning and development remain pivotal to personal and organizational success.”
She tasked operators and other stakeholders to “challenge conventional thinking, embrace new perspectives, and work towards embedding a culture of learning in every organization.”
The Guest Speaker, Dr. Afolabi Ajayi, a Management Consultant, emphasized the significance of training and development in sustaining industry growth.
Dr. Ajayi noted that the future of work hinges on organizations’ ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent.
According to him, “Human Resources practitioners must address evolving workplace trends, including technology integration, office automation, diversity, compensation strategies, flexible work arrangements, remote collaboration, and cross-border engagement. Retention strategies must be customized to align with emerging talent needs.”
Other notable speakers included Mrs. Chinenye Edward of Gracedge Limited, who discussed the impact of mentorship and coaching on employee development, engagement, retention, leadership, and productivity.
During an interactive session, Mrs. Oluyemisi Situ, Chartered Accountant and Consultant at CRL Business Solutions, emphasized that organizations must position themselves as employers of choice to drive optimal results. She noted that Human Resources professionals must strike the right balance between setting performance metrics and fostering mentorship to build high-performing teams that exceed stakeholders’ expectations.
The event also featured award presentations by the President, Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, to individual and corporates that supported and subscribed to the College’s training programmes during 2024 Financial Year.
Miss Ekanem Oluwatomiwa, Stanbic IBTC Insurance, won the Outstanding L&D Personnel; while the Outstanding Trained L&D Organization Award went to AIICO Insurance Plc; Bancassurance Company of the Year went to Prudential Zenith Life; the Agency Company of the Year was received by Heirs Life Assurance Limited; while Leadway Assurance received the Valued Client Award.
