Business

NDIC Chief Executive, Hassan Urges ICAN To Integrate DIS Courses

Published

3 years ago

October 13, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Bello Hassan, has called upon the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to incorporate courses on the Deposit Insurance System (DIS) into its educational programs and modules.

Mr. Hassan made the call during a courtesy visit by the Governing Council Members of ICAN, led by the President of the Institute, Mr. Innocent Iweka Okwosa, to the Corporation’s Management in Abuja.

Mr. Hassan said including DIS courses within ICAN’s training programs would enhance the understanding of DIS not only within the banking sector but also among professional accountants.

He described it as critical to bridging the knowledge gap on the mandate and achievements of DIS, its critical role in protecting depositors, and its contribution to financial system stability.

He added that it would also address misconceptions of the benefits and limitations of the deposit insurance system.

Mr. Hassan further stressed the significance of public awareness in maximizing the impact and reach of the deposit insurance system throughout the general public and the financial sector as a whole. He stated that given the novel nature of the scheme in Nigeria and globally, collaboration with ICAN and other stakeholders had become imperative to strengthen the effectiveness of the Corporation’s operations to fully implement its mandate.

Mr. Bello Hassan congratulated Mr. Okwosa on his assumption of office as the 59th ICAN President. He encouraged him to ensure that chartered accountants uphold the Institute’s values of accuracy and integrity in all aspects of their work. He also reassured the Institute of the Corporation’s unwavering support and partnership in furthering the practice of accounting in the country.

He also extended condolences to the Institute on the recent passing of the first chartered accountant in Nigeria, Mr. Akintola Williams who left a legacy of excellence and professionalism that has paved the way for the growth of the profession in Nigeria.

Mr. Hassan commended ICAN’s commitment to maintaining zero tolerance for professional misconduct, asserting that this stance would continue to provide confidence to the Corporation and other stakeholders in relying on the work of accountants in fulfilling their mandates.

In response, Mr. Innocent Iweka Okwosa praised Mr. Hassan for his exemplary leadership and the professionalism he has instilled in the Corporation’s operations.

He noted that under Mr. Hassan’s leadership, the Corporation has made substantial contributions to ensuring the safety and stability of the Nation’s financial system, a crucial element for the growth and prosperity of the Nigerian economy.

The collaboration between NDIC and ICAN holds the promise of strengthening the knowledge base among accountants and financial professionals while fostering the growth and stability of Nigeria’s financial sector.

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Agriculture

PULA, Leadway Assurance Disburse ₦396 Million to Climate-Affected Farmers, Strengthen Food Security Efforts

Published

3 weeks ago

April 24, 2026

The Gleamer

In a major intervention to shield smallholder farmers from climate shocks, agri-insurtech firm PULA has spearheaded the disbursement of ₦396,697,672 in insurance claims to over 40,000 farmers impacted during the 2025 wet season.

The payout, executed in partnership with Leadway Assurance and supported by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), covered farmers across Taraba, Borno, Kaduna, and Plateau States who suffered climate-related losses.

The initiative was made possible in part by Bayer Foundation, whose $450,000 premium subsidy support in 2025 wet season helped lower the cost of insurance for thousands of vulnerable smallholders in 8 states, with 4 states receiving payouts. The Foundation is set to scale up its contribution to match the growing aspirations of state governments.

Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony in Abuja during the 2025 Wet Season Insurance Claims Payout under the National Agribusiness Planning Mechanism (NAPM), PULA’s Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Michael Enahoro, said the initiative goes beyond compensation, insisting that it’s about securing Nigeria’s food systems.

“Our focus is not just on payouts but on increasing food production. We must continue to support farmers who work tirelessly under harsh conditions to feed the nation,” Dr. Enahoro said. He called for stronger policies that directly impact farmers and reaffirmed PULA’s commitment to expanding agricultural insurance as a tool for resilience.

PULA’s data-driven approach to climate risk was key to identifying affected farmers and triggering payments. The company worked with Leadway Assurance to underwrite the risk, while PFSCU aligned the program with the national food security agenda. State governments also supported grassroots enrollment.

Gboyega Lesi, MD/CEO of Leadway Assurance, described the payout as “a reinforcement of a safety net that protects the hard work of thousands of farmers,” adding that “through climate insurance, we ensure that a bad season does not translate into total loss of livelihood.” He commended PULA’s technology and field structure for making rapid, transparent payouts possible.

Ayoola Fatona, Global Head of Agric Solutions at Leadway Assurance, noted that the 2025 wet season brought significant climate variability and yield fluctuations. “The true value of insurance lies in claims payment, especially in challenging periods. Our data-driven partnership with PULA helped mitigate losses,” he said.

Looking ahead, PULA and Leadway Assurance plan to scale coverage to 73,000 farmers in the 2026 farming season, deepening penetration of climate insurance across Nigeria’s food-producing belts.

Commissioners from the beneficiary states commended PULA and Leadway Assurance for de-risking agriculture, restoring farmers’ confidence, and building a more resilient agricultural sector

State-by-state breakdown of claims facilitated by PULA: