Heirs Life Assurance, the specialist life insurance subsidiary of Heirs Insurance Group, has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director to its board, effective August 10, 2026. The appointment signals a strategic push to deepen financial inclusion and accelerate insurance adoption across Nigeria, where penetration remains below one percent — among the lowest rates globally.
Despite its position as Africa’s largest Economy, Nigeria continues to grapple with low public trust in insurance products and limited consumer awareness. Heirs Life Assurance aims to address this gap by leveraging Eze’s extensive experience in community engagement, value-based leadership, and large-scale digital outreach.
Pastor Jerry Eze is the founder and lead pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, a multinational organization with 34 branches spanning West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe, and North America. He also convenes the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD), one of the world’s largest digital prayer platforms, reaching millions daily. Through his ministry and humanitarian work, Eze has emerged as one of Africa’s most influential voices advocating for hope, compassion, and community transformation.
Beyond religious leadership, Eze founded the Jerry Eze Foundation, a faith-based philanthropic initiative providing housing support and grants to vulnerable populations. In 2026, the foundation announced N1 billion in grants targeting young entrepreneurs in agriculture, technology, and manufacturing to stimulate enterprise development and economic opportunity.
Before entering full-time ministry, 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.
Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Chairman of Heirs Life Assurance, emphasized the strategic value of the appointment. “Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities,” Elumelu said. “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.”
Eze described the role as a timely opportunity. “I am honoured to join the board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry,” he said. “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 rapidly established itself as a market leader, ranking seventh on the Financial Times list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies. It operates as one of three insurance businesses under Heirs Holdings, a pan-African investment company with interests across 24 countries and four continents. The insurer combines an omni-channel digital platform with a nationwide branch network to deliver customer-centric life insurance solutions.
Heirs Insurance Group — comprising Heirs Life Assurance, Heirs General Insurance, and Heirs Insurance Brokers — collectively serves over three million people directly and indirectly. The group is positioning itself at the forefront of Nigeria’s digital insurance transformation, driving a broader mission to democratise access to financial protection across the continent.
