The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation have jointly organised a workshop on Group Life Assurance Policy in Abuja. The event was aimed at deepening understanding and improving the implementation of the group life insurance scheme among stakeholders in government ministries, departments, and agencies.
According to a statement released by the insurance regulator, the workshop served as a platform to educate and train participants on the operational details of the group life policy, particularly in line with the requirements of the Pension Reform Act 2014 and revised policy guidelines issued in collaboration with the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
Under Section 4(5) of the Pension Reform Act, employers are mandated to provide a group life insurance policy in favour of each employee, with a minimum benefit of three times the employee’s annual total emolument. The law also stipulates that the premium for this policy must be paid no later than the date of commencement of the insurance cover.
This insurance cover is compulsory for all employees enrolled under the Contributory Pension Scheme, provided they are actively in service. The revised guidelines developed by NAICOM and PenCom were designed to ensure better compliance and clarity for both employers and insurers.
In her remarks at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, was represented by the Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Head of Civil Service, Mrs Patience Oyekunle. She underscored the significance of life insurance in securing the financial well-being of public servants and providing stability for their families in the event of any unforeseen circumstances.
She also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his recent move to renew the annuity policy for retirees and expressed appreciation to NAICOM for initiating the training, describing it as timely and impactful. According to her, educating civil servants on the benefits and processes of group life insurance would encourage greater appreciation and reduce miscommunication around the policy.
The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, was represented at the event by the Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration, Mr Ekerete Gam-Ikon. He applauded the collaboration between NAICOM and the civil service office, stressing the Commission’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in how the group life policy is implemented.
He noted that the workshop reflects NAICOM’s wider effort to foster understanding of insurance products and increase insurance penetration in the public sector. He assured participants that the Commission would continue to monitor implementation and ensure that government agencies meet their statutory obligations under the group life scheme.
The workshop, which brought together civil servants from across various federal institutions, covered key aspects of policy coverage, claims processes, documentation, and the roles of both insurers and employers in managing the scheme. Facilitators provided real-life examples and practical guidance to help attendees better navigate the requirements of the law.
The event was seen as an important milestone in improving the welfare of federal workers and supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure that insurance remains a reliable part of the country’s social safety net. Organisers noted that the workshop would be replicated in other zones to ensure that more government workers understand and can benefit fully from the group life policy.
NAICOM also reiterated that it would continue to engage with government stakeholders to remove bottlenecks in implementation and ensure that both employers and employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
The initiative is part of broader reforms aimed at promoting financial inclusion and improving social protection coverage for workers in the formal sector.
