Heirs Life Assurance appoints Pastor Jerry Eze as Independent Non-Executive Director

The appointment reinforces Heirs Life Assurance's commitment to expanding financial inclusion and accelerating insurance adoption by strengthening public trust, consumer education, and long-term financial resilience across Nigeria.

Despite being Africa's largest economy, Nigeria's insurance penetration remains below one per cent - among the lowest globally - highlighting the need to expand financial protection and build greater public trust in insurance. As Heirs Life continues to pursue its mission of making insurance accessible to every Nigerian, Eze’s appointment brings a unique perspective on community engagement, value-based leadership, and broad societal impact.

Pastor Jerry Eze is the Founder and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy  International Ministry, a growing multinational ministry with 34 branches across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe and North America. He is also the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration  (NSPPD), one of the world's largest digital prayer platforms, reaching millions of people daily. Through his ministry and humanitarian initiatives,  he has become one of Africa's most influential voices, championing hope,  compassion, and community transformation.

Beyond ministry, Eze is the Founder of the Jerry Eze Foundation, a faith-led philanthropy where he provides housing support and grants to vulnerable and underserved communities. In 2026, he announced ₦1billion in grants to support young entrepreneurs across agriculture,  technology, and manufacturing, further advancing enterprise development and economic opportunity.

Before entering full-time ministry, Pastor Jerry Eze built a career in development communications, serving as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme 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.

Speaking about the appointment, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Chairman, Heirs  Life Assurance, 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."

Commenting on his appointment, Pastor Jerry Eze 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 has become one of Nigeria’s leading specialist life insurance companies, ranking 7th on the Financial Times list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies. It is one of the three insurance businesses of  Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents.

Combining an omni-channel digital presence with physical branches spread across the country, Heirs Life continues to redefine life insurance through innovation, customer-centric solutions, and a commitment to making financial protection accessible to every Nigerian.

Heirs Insurance Group, comprising Heirs Life Assurance, Heirs General Insurance, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, collectively serves over 3 million people directly and indirectly. The Group is championing financial inclusion and leading the digital insurance play in Nigeria, demonstrating its mission to democratise access to insurance.

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