Heirs Life Assurance has named Pastor Jerry Eze an independent non-executive director, effective August 10, 2026, adding a prominent community and humanitarian leader to the board of the specialist life insurer.
Board appointment and financial inclusion
The appointment is intended to support Heirs Life’s efforts to broaden access to insurance in Nigeria by building public confidence, improving consumer understanding and strengthening households’ long-term financial resilience.
Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, but insurance penetration remains below 1%, placing it among the lowest rates worldwide. The gap highlights the need for wider financial protection and stronger trust in insurance products.
As the company works toward making insurance available to all Nigerians, Eze is expected to contribute experience in community outreach, values-driven leadership and initiatives with broad social impact.
Jerry Eze’s background
Eze founded and leads Streams of Joy International Ministry, a multinational organisation with 34 locations across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe and North America. He also convenes New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration, known as NSPPD, a major digital prayer platform that reaches millions of people each day.
His religious work and humanitarian programmes have made him one of Africa’s most influential public voices on hope, compassion and community development.
He is also the founder of the Jerry Eze Foundation, a faith-based philanthropic organisation that offers housing assistance and grants to vulnerable and underserved communities. In 2026, he announced N1 billion in grants for young entrepreneurs working in agriculture, technology and manufacturing, with the aim of supporting business creation and expanding economic opportunity.
Before taking up full-time ministry, Eze worked in development communications. His experience included serving as a communications specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and working with the United Nations Population Fund.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Abia State University and later completed a postgraduate degree in Business Administration at Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Comments on the appointment
Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, chairman of Heirs Life Assurance, said Eze combines integrity and influence with a strong understanding of people and communities. He added that Eze’s perspective would help the insurer improve consumer confidence, extend financial inclusion and advance its goal of protecting the financial futures of millions of Nigerians. Elumelu also welcomed him to the company’s board and to the wider Heirs Insurance Group.
Eze said joining the board was an honour at an important stage for Nigeria’s insurance sector. He described financial security as a foundation that allows individuals, families and companies to pursue their ambitions with greater confidence and resilience.
He said he looked forward to working with the board and management to make insurance more accessible, relevant and effective for Nigerians.
Heirs Life’s market position
Heirs Life has developed into one of Nigeria’s leading specialist life insurers and ranked seventh among Africa’s fastest-growing companies. It is one of three insurance businesses owned by Heirs Holdings, a pan-African investment group with holdings in 24 countries across four continents.
The insurer combines digital distribution across multiple channels with a network of physical branches nationwide. Its strategy is centred on product innovation, customer-focused services and expanding access to financial protection.
Heirs Insurance Group comprises Heirs Life Assurance, Heirs General Insurance and Heirs Insurance Brokers. Across the group, the businesses serve more than 3 million people directly and indirectly, while pursuing a broader role in financial inclusion and the expansion of digital insurance in Nigeria.
