General News
Local Content on Oil & Gas Underwriting; Issues and Challenges
Three years after the much- lauded federal government policy, expanding the scope of local content on oil and gas underwriting, there are indications that the policy remains threatened. These threats range from unethical practices to undulating playing field. The implication is that if these challenges are not adequately addressed, doors will continually open to capital flight.
Ultimately, this would impact negatively on the country’s balance of trade.
Sources revealed that some insurance companies are still involved in the unethical practices in collusion with foreign underwriters. The practice is such that the reserved percentage for local underwriting is being traded-off to foreigners.
The federal government in 2006 rolled out the local content policy which exclusively reserved 45percent for local insurers in the oil and gas underwriting. The euphoria that greeted the policy led to the launch of Nigeria’s first energy insurance consortium.
According to a top industry operator who prefers anonymity, “it is not entirely correct that local insurers collude to transfer their capacity outside the shores of Nigeria”.
However, he admitted that “due to the capital base of our local underwriters which places the highest capitalized insurers in Nigeria among the lowest in the world, it would take a longer time for local underwriters to fully have the capacity to underwrite all oil and gas insurance”.
He added that one of the reasons why the perceived sharp practices may continue is that oil and gas insurance is prized in dollars while local underwriting is done in the local currency.Investigations confirmed that local insurers connive with some officials of the National Petroleum Investment Management services (NAPIMS) to transfer business due to them to foreign insurers. This is allegedly being encouraged by the huge commission which they earn in foreign currency.
At the launched of Nigeria’s first energy insurance consortium, one of the facilitators, Mr. Jonnie Wilcox raised public expectations when he stated that part of the objectives of the consortium was reduction of outflow, adding that the consortium would add value to the local capacity and create certainty and access to funds security at the international market. However, two years after, can these objectives be said to have been achieved?
It is unfortunate that rather than satisfying local consortium bidding, there are still leakages of over 40percent of the reserve to foreign insurers.
Mr. Ambrose Umosor is an insurance consultant. In accessing the situation, he called on the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to discourage leakages while ensuring a deeper surveillance on the local insurers in order to nip these sharp practices in their buds. He also called for caution in exercising the exceptional waivers right which NAICOM holds.
For instance, section 72 (1-4) of the Insurance Act 2003, stipulates that “the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) can only grant approval for placement of any risk that cannot be placed locally except in very exceptional circumstances” Umosor advised NAICOM to ensure that any waiver, necessitated by circumstances, must be opened to public scrutiny.
Expert’s opinion indicates that full implementation of the local content policy holds the key to Nigeria’s insurance growth. This they hinged on the fact that it would empower the local insurers to dictate prizes at its own capacity. In addition, it would enable them manage their own risks and reward issues as well as creating empowerment to the industry and all stakeholders.
According to the Managing Director of Trinity Consulting Group, Mr. Adulphus Nwaeze, while reviewing the performance of the policy so far “it is unethical for some operators to be discriminated against, particularly the brokers whose strategic position is crucial to the success of the policy.
He stated that while the policy provided for at least 45percent of underwriting in the oil and gas for local insurers, only less than 10 percent is still being handled by local insurers.
Nwaeze explained that it is unfortunate that some local companies still collude with foreigners to sell out our rightful share under flimsy excuses.
The energy expert called on operators to develop a strategic charter and operational framework, identify leakages for necessary amendments as well as injecting a true Nigerian content opportunities into the policy.
The issue of local content has attracted various comments over time. According to the chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) Mr. Wole Oshin, confronting local content policy goes beyond local capacity. He said the inability of local underwriters to effectively markets themselves abroad is another challenge.
Earlier, the Managing Director of First Bank of Nigerian Insurance Brokers (FBNIB), Mr. Val Ujumah hinted that government’s desire of the local content policy may not be realized unless brokers are carried along.
He stated that brokers have been sidelined in the selection of firms for the oil and gas insurance while also faulting the bidding processes for participation.
Of significance, he said, is the fact that contrary to current practice, bidding for insurance should naturally be for brokers and not insurers.
Mr. Ujumah explained that what is in practice now is that the bidding process is being controlled by one body which he identified as the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).
He pointed out that on the contrary, it is the brokers who should be allowed to choose the insurers to work with and not for the insurers to choose the reinsure or broker as presently happening.
Experts’ opinion is that with an enlarged position reserved for local underwriters, our economic life would be boosted. The policy is also expected to boost the insurance industry which has been in limbo over a long time until recently.
It would also contribute substantially to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) which is projected to have grown by more than 10 percent.
Interestingly, however, operators have risen to these challenges as they collaborate with industry regulator to straighten crooked lines.
According to Mr. Wole Oshin, Nigerian Insurers Association “has further been able to secure the Guidelines on Consortium Bidding with the assistance of the National Insurance Commission”.
In his statement at this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) he explained that the industry has also “presented a joint memorandum to the National Assembly during the public hearing on Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill”
Can one then say that these challenges appear to be receiving attention?
If the various efforts being made by stakeholders are anything to go by, there could be light at the end of the tunnel.
For instance NIA, according to Oshin, has also had “several meetings with the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) for the purpose of bridging the communication gap and fostering mutual co-operation and understanding”.
Therefore, if the various provisions of the Insurance Act especially as it relates to key issues as Nigerian content on oil and gas are adhered to, the future of the industry would brighten further which would place the industry in its right position among top insurance companies in the world.
In the busy Fagge Market in Kano, Zahra Bello, a middle-aged entrepreneur who runs a fabric store, speaks about her experience with mobile banking and how this has simplified business transactions and improved her small business.
Behind the growth of these resilient women entrepreneurs lies a story of transformation powered by technology.
“My name is Zahra Bello, I’m from Dambatta in Kano State, and I’m a fabric trader. I first heard about PalmPay from my elder brother in March 2024. He told me how he used the PalmPay Target Savings feature to buy new machinery for his farm and even earned interest. That inspired me to try it too.”
Zahra downloaded the PalmPay app that very day. By December, she’d used the Target Savings plan to restock her shop with new fabrics, an achievement she never thought possible within such a short period. “I was so happy,” she smiles. “The interest I earned on my savings motivated me to save more. PalmPay has become my savings box. I use it for all my transactions now.”
Her story, like many others, is the inspiration for PalmPay’s evolving vision of inclusive banking in Nigeria’s underserved communities.
Women, SMEs, and Technology
Financial exclusion remains a critical challenge in Northern Nigeria. According to EFInA’s 2023 Access to Financial Services survey, an estimated 28.8 million adults in the North are excluded from the formal financial system, with exclusion rates as high as 47% in the Northwest.
Among women, especially those in rural areas, the figures are even more concerning, as these numbers represent the daily reality of millions of women who run informal businesses and contribute to household income without access to banking, credit, or digital tools.
PalmPay’s initiative addresses this gap directly. 5,000 female entrepreneurs in Kano and Kaduna will receive hands-on financial literacy training on mobile payments and their shops are rebranded with signages, aprons, and other kits that will enhance visibility for their businesses.
“I used to write down every sale in a notebook. Now I track everything with my PalmPay account,” says Rabi Abdullahi, a trader in Kano. “Customers trust me more now that I have a business name and branded store.”
PalmPay has done its due diligence to understand the challenges and has offered a tailored approach to solving these issues which includes this social impact initiative.
Social Impact and Strategic Growth
With over 35 million users in Nigeria, the company is keen to expand in regions where smartphone adoption is rising but digital finance penetration remains low.
Femi Hanson, Head of Marketing and Communications, explains: “We see this as long-term ecosystem building. When you give small business owners the tools to grow, you don’t just gain users, you build loyalty, trust, and sustainable impact.” This also aligns with Nigeria’s Financial Inclusion Strategy goal to reach 95% inclusion by 2025, a benchmark that can’t be reached without focused efforts in the North.
The project has earned the support of traditional leaders, most notably His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II, who praised the initiative and called for greater collaboration between the private sector and community stakeholders.
With the success of this initiative, PalmPay has continued to expand its solutions in these regions offering support to even more women.
In Northern Nigeria, where the need is great and the gap wide, PalmPay is proving that true impact goes beyond offering products to providing support and meeting the needs of its users at the grassroots.
Moniepoint Inc, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions partnered with the Mega Impact Foundation to support the 5th edition of the NextGen Connect Interschool Oratory Competition in Asaba, Delta state. This collaboration showcases Moniepoint’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development across the African continent.
The competition, which was held commemoratively to celebrate this year’s International Day of the Boy Child, brought together SS2 students from across Delta State to address the critical theme: “The Role of Financial Inclusion and Technology in Shaping a Brighter Future for Young People in Africa.” Moniepont has received critical acclaim over its core mission of advancing financial inclusion through innovative digital financial technology solutions and payment services..
The oratory competition showcased exceptional talent among Nigeria’s youth, with Otovo Praise of Crystalloid International School emerging as the champion.
His outstanding performance earned him a full-year scholarship through the Tosin Eniolorunda STEM Foundation, reflecting Moniepoint’s philosophy of investing in educational excellence. Second-place winner Audi Innocent of St Patrick’s College received ₦300,000, while third-place winner, Asher David of Glorious Kids Academy was awarded ₦200,000.
“At Moniepoint, we believe that driving sustainable innovation begins with future-proofing and expanding the talent pool by empowering the next generation with the tools that they need to succeed especially basic literacy skills which remain fundamental pillars in socio-economic development,” said Tosin Eniolorunda, CEO Moniepoint Inc.
“These young voices represent the future of African leadership, and their insights into financial inclusion and technology demonstrate the remarkable potential that exists within our communities. Through our various educational and developmental initiatives such as the CAD/CAM lab we donated to OAU last year or the Moniepoint DreamDevs programme, we are betting big on an investment in Africa’s future.”
The initiative extends beyond monetary rewards, creating meaningful platforms for young people to express their ideas on a global stage. Through its support of the NextGen Connect Conference and Tech-In-School conversations, Moniepoint is fostering an environment where youth can develop critical thinking skills, build confidence, and engage with pressing societal issues.
In her remarks, Founder, Mega Impact Foundation, Florence Ogonegbu said that “we reaffirm our commitment to building an Africa where every young person has simplified access to sustainable education, capacity building, and empowerment.
By leveraging technology and local initiatives, we are creating platforms that enable our youth to thrive and transform their communities. Together with partners like Moniepoint, we are not just shaping futures—we are driving a movement for social development that will resonate globally. Every boy, every young person, deserves the opportunity to unlock their full potential and drive lasting impact across our continent.”
The competition received additional support from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Delta State, highlighting the collaborative approach required to nurture young talent effectively.
African legislators across the continent are increasingly demanding answers from mobile network operators for chronic poor service. Parliamentarians in Cameroon, South Africa and Zambia are demanding answers on data pricing, network connectivity needs in rural regions, contributions to job creation, data security and privacy, and adherence to universal service obligations.
Zambia is the latest country to question telcos over quality of service, and National Assembly speaker Nelly Mutti has ordered minister of technology and science Felix Mutati to deliver a ministerial statement on the Airtel network’s repeat outages and the steps being taken to resolve them.
Lawmakers have expressed concerns about the impact of inconsistent connectivity, particularly in rural areas where mobile communication is important for emergencies and essential services.
This come after telecoms regulator, Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) read the riot act to Airtel, after its most recent outage last week.
This was not the first time the telco had experienced service interruption, which prompted ZICTA to threaten the telco with a fine.
Meanwhile, the speaker of parliament declared that the nation has to be informed about the causes for the network provider’s bad service and the steps being taken to address the issue.
Mutti said: “This matter is affecting everyone. We need to know why the services are poor and what is being done to ensure service providers comply with stipulated guidelines.”
The move by the Zambian parliament comes a few days after South African parliament also summoned mobile network operators to respond to a range of concerns that lawmakers felt impacted consumers.
The following issues were considered by parliamentarians: network connectivity standards in rural areas, contributions to job creation, transformation, and economic inclusion and empowerment for blacks in general, women, youth, and people with disabilities, data security and privacy, adherence to universal service obligations, and spectrum conditions for universal connectivity.
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