The annual initiative, widely regarded as the insurance sector’s longest-running essay competition, continues to position itself as a key driver of research, critical thinking, and policy-relevant discourse on the evolving role of insurance in economic development and resilience building.
This year’s ceremony brought together employees of Consolidated Hallmark Holdings and its subsidiaries in the internal category, alongside students and young professionals from tertiary institutions across the country in the external category, particularly those studying insurance and actuarial science.
Participants from institutions such as Imo State University, Owerri; University of Jos; and Federal Polytechnic Offa emerged among the top performers in the external segment, reflecting a strong nationwide spread of talent and academic engagement in insurance-related studies.
Industry stakeholders at the event commended the initiative for its consistency and impact. President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Yetunde Olubunmi Ilori, described the programme as one that has grown from modest beginnings into a nationally recognised platform for talent development within the sector. She highlighted its alignment with broader professional goals focused on manpower development and industry sustainability.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Kunle Ahmed, praised the competition as a strategic intervention that supports the association’s broader objective of strengthening human capital in the insurance industry. He noted that its longevity sets it apart as a benchmark for sustained private-sector investment in education and professional development.
Speaking on behalf of the external category winners, Imo State University student and overall external champion, Miss Favor Agoha, expressed appreciation for the opportunity, describing the initiative as more than a sponsorship programme. According to her, it represents a platform that builds confidence, nurtures talent, and opens pathways for young professionals to grow within the industry.
In the internal category, staff member Thompson Omons emerged as the overall winner, highlighting strong participation and intellectual engagement within the organisation itself.
Group Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Hallmark Holdings, Eddie Efekoha, reiterated the importance of continuous knowledge development in the insurance sector, describing it as inherently driven by intellectual capital. He emphasised the company’s commitment to sustaining and expanding the competition through potential partnerships that could further enhance its reach and impact.
Winners across both categories received various cash prizes, with the top performers in each category taking home N1 million, reinforcing the competition’s role as both a recognition platform and a talent incubation channel within Nigeria’s insurance industry.