Heirs Life Assurance has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze, one of Africa’s most influential religious leaders, as an independent nonexecutive director, the company announced on Monday.
The appointment brings a prominent public figure with a large international following onto the board of one of Nigeria’s leading specialist life insurers. It also reflects the company’s effort to reach more Nigerians in a market where insurance penetration remains below 1 percent, among the lowest rates in the world.
Mr. Eze, the founder and lead pastor of Streams of Joy International, oversees a network of 34 branches across Africa, Europe and North America. He is perhaps best known as the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration, or NSPPD, an online prayer platform that attracts millions of viewers and participants.
Heirs Life said his experience in community engagement and public communication would support its campaign to improve financial literacy, strengthen consumer confidence and make insurance more accessible.
“Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence and a deep understanding of people and communities,” Tony O. Elumelu, the chairman of Heirs Life Assurance, said in a statement.
Mr. Elumelu said the appointment would help the company deepen financial inclusion and advance its goal of protecting the financial futures of millions of Nigerians.
Mr. Eze has also built a philanthropic profile through the Jerry Eze Foundation, which provides housing assistance and financial support to vulnerable communities. In 2026, he announced ₦1 billion in grants for young entrepreneurs working in agriculture, technology and manufacturing.
Before entering full-time ministry, Mr. Eze worked in development communications, including as a communications specialist on a World Bank-supported HIV/AIDS program and with the United Nations Population Fund.
He earned 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.
“I am honoured to join the board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry,” Mr. Eze said. “Financial security empowers individuals, families and businesses to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and resilience.”
Heirs Life operates through digital platforms and branches across Nigeria. The company was ranked seventh on the Financial Times list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies.
It is part of Heirs Insurance Group, which also includes Heirs General Insurance and Heirs Insurance Brokers. The group says its businesses serve more than three million people directly and indirectly.
The insurance companies are owned by Heirs Holdings, Mr. Elumelu’s pan-African investment group, which has operations and investments across 24 countries and four continents.
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