Nigeria: KBL Insurance appoints new MD

KBL Insurance Limited has named Mr. Lawal Mijinyawa as its new Managing Director and CEO, succeeding Mrs. Ukachi Orji upon her retirement.

In a statement released by the company on Monday, it was announced that the National Insurance Commission had approved Mr. Lawal Mijinyawa’s appointment as the MD/CEO of KBL Insurance.

“The board had met in November 2023 after Mrs Orji notified it of her intention to retire after over 25 years of service (and 10 years as MD/CEO), considered and approved Orji’s retirement and resignation from her role as MD, with effect from January 1, 2024,” the firm stated.

KBL Insurance stated that Mr. Lawal Mijinyawa is a seasoned insurance professional, boasting over 25 years of experience in the Nigerian insurance sector across several insurance firms.

Mr. Lawal Mijinyawa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Jos, as well as a master’s degree in Business Administration from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

“He is an associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Nigerian Institute of Marketing, and the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria.

“He served as a board member, representing Niger Insurance Plc on Montgomery Security Vaults Nigeria Limited Board,” the firm noted.

After initially serving as a non-executive director on the board of KBL Insurance Limited for approximately two years, Mr. Lawal Mijinyawa has now been appointed as the MD/CEO.

Speaking, the Board Chairman of KBL Insurance, Mr Simpson Eimiakhena, commended Orji for the level and manner she had turned around the affairs of the company, citing where KBL Insurance was at her appointment, and where the company stood until her retirement.

He noted that Orji had raised the bar, moving the company’s premium income to N5bn to become one of the foremost insurance companies in Nigeria.

Eimiakhena said, “For the number of years, I have worked with Mrs Orji on the board of KBL Insurance, I can boldly say she is a woman of integrity and accountability, who is not shy to take responsibility in everything she does. When it comes to people’s skills, she is very endowed.

“She is a very transparent person and as a technical and underwriting expert, is highly risk averse; her management capacity is second to none. Her corporate governance acumen is unimaginable, and I say I have very much enjoyed working with her.”

An independent non-executive director, Abubakar Aliyu, praised the former managing director, commending her for her diligence, probity, and empathy. He emphasized her unwavering commitment to corporate governance and compliance, portraying her as a model of excellence.