By Henry Uche
The Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has successfully groomed young professionals in the insurance industry through its mentorship boot camp.
Designed to equip young practitioners with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the insurance industry, the sixth edition of the CIIN Mentorship Programme provided a platform for knowledge-sharing and skill-building, aimed at fostering a new generation of leaders and innovators in the industry.
The boot camp, focused on effective mentorship, providing participants with valuable insights and practical tools to enhance their professional development, had in attendance 74 participants from across various arms of the industry: underwriting, insurance broker, and loss adjusters.
Held at the College of Insurance and Financial Management (CIFM), Aseese, Ogun State, the CIIN President/Chairman of Council, Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, who declared the session open with the theme: “Mentorship, Mindset and Momentum: Unlocking career growth in a fast-changing world,” urged participants to take mentorship very seriously.
In a keynote address on “Mentorship, Mindset and Momentum,” Mrs. Olaitan Oladimeji explained two major types of mindsets: fixed mindset and growth mindset, noting that a growth mindset helps mentees to learn from their mentors.
While Mrs. Oredola Kayode-Sanni took the participants through a personality test revealing unknown psychological facts about themselves, Dr. Olumuyiwa Oludayo taught the attributes of a successful mentorship programme.
He stressed that mentorship can be influenced by diverse factors and indices, such as coaches, mentors, role models, and sponsors. He added, “Participants must make a difference in their mentorship style in order to have their mentors as investors in their careers.”
As a way of motivation, Dr. Omoniyi Agboola, Mrs. Muibat Jimoh, and Mrs. Bisola Elias shared real-life scenarios of career growth within the insurance industry, while Dr. Babatunde Jesusina facilitated a mental health talk, which focused on the effect of early marriage on building a successful career. There was a networking session as a way of connecting mentees with veterans.
Participants were grouped into four teams and tasked to develop a structured mentorship programme for young professionals in insurance, including “how to select mentors, run the programme, and measure success.”
Revered insurance professionals, past presidents of the Institute, as well as the Rector of CIFM, Dr. (Mrs.) Chizoba Ehiogwu, and others were there to support the serious sessions for the growth of the insurance industry.
The Insurance Institute reiterated its commitment to sustained mentorship programmes and initiatives to support the professional development of its members and the wider industry.
The Registrar of the Institute, Mrs. Abimbola Tiamiyu, enjoined them to conscientiously follow through with the details of instructions and charges given by their mentors, saying, “We are thrilled with the success of our mentorship boot camp and the enthusiasm of our participants. We believe that effective mentorship is crucial to the development of our industry, and we are committed to providing opportunities for young practitioners to learn and grow,” she assured.
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