Heirs Life Assurance brings Pastor Jerry Eze on board as Non-Executive Director

Heirs Life Assurance, a life insurance company under Heirs Insurance Group, has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its Board. This appointment takes effect from 10 August 2026.

This move shows Heirs Life Assurance’s commitment to increasing financial inclusion and speeding up insurance adoption. The company aims to build public trust, educate consumers, and ensure long-term financial security across Nigeria.

Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy, has insurance penetration below one percent, which is among the lowest in the world. This situation highlights the need for more financial protection and improved public trust in insurance. As Heirs Life works to make insurance available to every Nigerian, Eze’s experience will help engage communities and promote leadership with values that benefit society.

Pastor Jerry Eze is the Founder and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry. His ministry is growing and has 34 branches in West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe, and North America. He is also known for the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD), which is one of the largest digital prayer platforms in the world, reaching millions of people each day. Through his ministry and charitable work, Eze has become a key voice in Africa, promoting hope, compassion, and community change.

Beyond his ministry work, Eze founded the Jerry Eze Foundation, which focuses on providing housing support and grants to those in need. In 2026, he announced N1 billion in grants to help young entrepreneurs in agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, which aims to grow businesses and create economic opportunities.

Before he became a full-time pastor, Pastor Jerry Eze had a career in development communications. He worked as a Communications Specialist for a World Bank HIV/AIDS program and with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

He holds a Bachelor's degree in History and International Relations from Abia State University and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Tony O Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Life Assurance, spoke about the appointment. He said, "Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities. As we continue our mission to democratise access to insurance, his insight will help strengthen consumer trust, deepen financial inclusion, and reinforce our commitment to protecting the financial future of millions of Nigerians. We are delighted to welcome him to the Board of Heirs Life Assurance and the broader family of Heirs Insurance Group."

Pastor Jerry Eze also shared his thoughts on joining the board. He said, "I am honoured to join the Board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry. Financial security empowers individuals, families, and businesses to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and resilience.

I look forward to working with the Board and Management to advance the company’s mission of making insurance more accessible, relevant, and impactful for every Nigerian."

Heirs Life Assurance is now one of Nigeria’s top specialist life insurance companies, ranking 7th on the Financial Times list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies. It is one of three insurance businesses under Heirs Holdings, a major pan-African investment firm with interests in 24 countries across four continents.

By combining a strong digital presence with physical branches across the country, Heirs Life is changing the life insurance landscape through innovation and customer-focused solutions. The company aims to make financial protection accessible to all Nigerians.

Heirs Insurance Group, which includes Heirs Life Assurance, Heirs General Insurance, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, serves over 3 million people directly and indirectly. The Group is pushing for financial inclusion and leading the digital insurance space in Nigeria, showing its commitment to making insurance available to everyone.