The chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart has applauded the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors(NAIPE) for honouring with an Award of Excellence.
Tope Smart was one of the 5 Awardees of NAIPE Award of Excellence and Stewardship for the impact he made, not only in Nigeria but at the continental level as the past President of the African Insurance Organisation(AIO). Besides, he was immediate past group Managing Director/CEO at NEM Insurance Plc, and also the past chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), among others. In all these, Smart distinguished himself as exceptional operator and a friend and supporter of insurance journalists.
Receiving the award from the 2025 NAIPE Conference Committee members at his office in Obanikoro, Lagos at the weekend, Smart said, the accolade is a message for him to do more to ensure insurance takes its rightful place in the national polity and discourse.
He gives insight into his doings, “I have a personal philosophy that what is worth doing is worth doing well. What shaped my perception was the derogatory image our Head of Department in the University created about insurance companies in Nigeria then.
“He had highest regards for foreign insurers and disregard the local ones. From that moment, I decided that I must make a difference. So, when I joined the industry, I tried my best to be able to change the narrative.”
Referencing the NEM Building that has now become the face of Insurance on Ikorodu Road, he said; “the NEM building on Ikorodu road was built without any bank loan to the glory of God and it has become the envy of others.”
While appreciating NAIPE, he said, he and the group have come a long way together. “I run a business and I know it’s not easy to run a business. So, for you guys, especially, those who runs their media platforms, to be there with tenacity, despite all the struggles in the business operating environment, and still making a difference, it is commendable and I will continue to support your projects in a joint effort to develop insurance industry,” he pointed out.
On her part, the chairman of NAIPE, Mrs. Nkechi Naeche Esezobor appreciated the support and partnership of Mr. Tope Smart and his company, NEM Insurance over the years, saying, the group never took them for granted.
“Your efforts can never be in vain. As an association, we feel it is good to recognise people when they are alive. We appreciate what you have done for the industry and we felt we need to appreciate this feat in our 10th anniversary of organising our annual conference,” she said.
The chairman, 2025 NAIPE Annual Conference, Mr. Roland Okoro, said, Mr. Tope Smart tick all the boxes when assessing the personalities to be awarded, calling on him not to rest on his oars towards deepening insurance acceptance, penetration and recognition.
