Heirs Life Assurance Appoints Pastor Jerry Eze to Board
By Patience Ikpeme
Heirs Life Assurance, the specialist life insurance subsidiary of Heirs Insurance Group, has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its board, effective August 10, 2026.
The strategic addition to the board aims to strengthen public trust, expand consumer education, and accelerate the adoption of insurance products across Nigeria, a market where overall industry penetration remains below one percent despite the country’s significant economic footprint.
The appointment supports the corporate mission of Heirs Life to make financial protection accessible to all citizens through a strategy that integrates a growing digital footprint with an expanding nationwide physical branch presence.
Heirs Life currently ranks seventh on the Financial Times list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies and operates as one of three insurance entities under Heirs Holdings, an investment group with operations spanning 24 countries across four continents.
Commenting on the appointment, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Life Assurance, noted that the board anticipates Pastor Eze will bring valuable community insights and moral authority to the company’s financial inclusion efforts.
“Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities,” Elumelu stated. “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.”
Pastor Eze brings extensive social reach and development experience to the role. Beyond his ministry work as founder of Streams of Joy International—which maintains 34 branches across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe, and North America—he leads the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD), a digital platform reaching millions daily.
Through the Jerry Eze Foundation, he oversees social initiatives providing housing support and grants to underserved communities, including a N1 billion commitment in 2026 targeted at youth enterprise in agriculture, technology, and manufacturing.
Responding to his appointment, Pastor Eze expressed enthusiasm for the company’s vision for national economic coverage. “I am honoured to join the Board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry,” Pastor Eze 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.”
Prior to entering full-time ministry, Pastor Eze accumulated expertise in international development communications, having worked with the World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and 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.
The broader Heirs Insurance Group—comprising Heirs Life Assurance, Heirs General Insurance, and Heirs Insurance Brokers—currently serves over three million direct and indirect customers.
The group continues to position itself as a key player in Nigeria’s digital financial services landscape, addressing long-standing market challenges such as low consumer awareness and limited public trust.
