By Henry Uche
In response to the Nigeria Police Force’s February 1, 2025 directive mandating all vehicle owners to possess valid third-party motor insurance, key stakeholders in the insurance industry have launched a nationwide awareness campaign to educate the public on the importance of compliance and its wider societal benefits.
The initiative is a collaborative effort by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), and the Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN). It aims to promote road safety, ensure legal compliance, and shield motorists from the financial burden of accidents involving damage to third-party property, vehicles, or bodily injury.
Speaking at a press briefing with insurance correspondents in Lagos, Mrs. Ebelechukwu B. Nwachukwu, Chairperson of the Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Sub-Committee of the Insurers Committee and Managing Director of Rex Insurance Limited, stressed the significance of the campaign.
“Many drivers remain unaware that third-party motor insurance is not only a legal obligation but also a critical safeguard for the lives and properties of fellow road users,” she said.
Nwachukwu explained that the nationwide campaign was designed to raise public consciousness, promote adherence to the law, and emphasize the consequences of driving uninsured. The awareness drive features multi-lingual radio jingles in English, Pidgin, Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. It also includes print media placements, billboards in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, as well as a robust social media rollout.
“Compliance with this requirement is not just about avoiding penalties; it’s about protecting yourself and others every time you’re on the road. Another key element of third-party insurance is that if one travels across West Africa, you have insurance coverage—this is an added advantage that people need to be aware of,” she added. Also speaking at the briefing, Mr. Moruf Apampa, Vice Chairman of the Sub-Committee and Managing Director of NSIA Insurance, expressed concern over the large number of uninsured vehicles still operating in the country.
“There are still a lot of vehicles on the road without proper insurance. When accidents happen, it is often innocent people and public services that end up bearing the cost. This campaign is about helping people understand why insurance matters and making it easier for them to get covered,” Apampa noted.
To facilitate compliance, Nigerians can now obtain or renew their third-party motor insurance through the Nigerian Insurance Industry Portal (NIIP) or by visiting any licensed insurance provider nationwide. The NIID platform also allows for real-time verification of insurance policies by simply visiting the ASKNIID portal and inputting the vehicle’s registration details.
The Sub-Committee also called on the media and critical industry players—including CAMCONIA, the umbrella body of Corporate Affairs Managers in the insurance industry, led by Mr. Segun Bankole—to support the ongoing campaign and help reshape public perception of insurance in Nigeria.
Other members of the Sub-Committee present at the briefing included Mr. Ademola Abidogun, Managing Director of Guinea Insurance, and Mrs. Abimbola Onakomaiya, President of the Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA), both of whom reiterated the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration to drive industry growth and public trust.
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