Heirs Insurance Group, Nigeria’s fastest-growing insurance company, has once again demonstrated its commitment to education and financial literacy with the conclusion of the 4th edition of the Heirs Insurance Essay Championship—a nationwide competition aimed at promoting insurance awareness and academic excellence among secondary school students and teachers.

The grand finale, held at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, gathered students, parents, educators, and academic leaders for an inspiring celebration of knowledge and creativity. This year’s edition, themed “The Role of Insurance in Keeping Families Safe and Secure,” attracted over 5,000 entries from junior secondary school students across Nigeria, highlighting the growing national interest in financial literacy.

Following a rigorous selection process conducted by a panel of esteemed academic professionals and independently verified by Deloitte & Touche, 13-year-old Rhema-Love Abraham of Precepts Learning Field, Lagos, emerged as the overall winner. She received a ₦5 million scholarship and a ₦1 million grant for her school.

Bernice Michael of S-TEE High School, Lagos, clinched the second-place position with a ₦2 million scholarship, while Afopefoluwa Tofio-Jacobs of D-IVY College, Ogun State, secured third place, earning a ₦1 million scholarship.

In a groundbreaking addition to this year’s event, Heirs Insurance introduced the inaugural Teachers’ Insurance Awareness Prize, a special category designed to recognize and empower educators who promote financial and insurance literacy within their schools and communities.

Mr. Okpe James Chidi, a teacher at Urban Secondary School, Umuna Orlu, Imo State, emerged as the first-ever winner of this category, receiving a ₦1 million personal cash prize and a ₦500,000 grant for his school. His innovative project on financial literacy was commended for its creativity, reach, and measurable impact among students.

L:R- Funmi Olotu, National Coordinator, National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO); Niyi Onifade, MD/CEO, Heirs Life Assurance and the Group’s Sector Head; Bernice Michael, 1st Runner Up; Rhema-Love Abraham, Winner, 2025 Heirs Insurance Essay Championship; Afopefoluwa Tofio-Jacobs, 2nd Runner Up; Okpe James Chidi, Winner, Teachers’ Insurance Awareness Prize; Wole Fayemi, MD/CEO, Heirs General Insurance and James Akpan, Head, Technical, Heirs Insurance Brokers.
Speaking at the ceremony, Niyi Onifade, Sector Head of Heirs Insurance Group, praised both students and teachers for their ingenuity and drive.

“We are proud of every student and teacher who participated in this year’s Essay Championship. Their creativity, curiosity, and dedication reflect the future we envision for our nation — one built on knowledge, innovation, and resilience. At Heirs Insurance Group, we believe financial literacy is a powerful tool for empowerment and transformation,” Onifade said.

The Heirs Insurance Essay Championship has become a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative for the Group, reflecting its broader mission to deepen understanding of insurance and financial management among young Nigerians. With the introduction of the Teachers’ Insurance Awareness Prize, Heirs Insurance continues to expand its impact—bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world financial empowerment.