The award, according to the organisers, recognises her outstanding contributions to the human resources profession and her enduring impact on organisational development and people management.

According to HR Expo Africa, the award recognises her outstanding contributions to the human resources profession and her sustained impact in shaping people-focused strategies and organisational culture over the course of her career.

HR Expo Africa is a leading platform that celebrates excellence in human capital development, recognising individuals and organisations that have demonstrated measurable impact in advancing people management and workplace transformation.

Over the years, Omowunmi has played a significant role in strengthening AXA Mansard’s people strategy through initiatives focused on employee engagement, leadership development, talent retention, and organisational effectiveness. Her leadership has helped build a workplace culture that promotes growth, high performance, inclusion, and employee well-being.

Speaking on the recognition, Adewusi expressed appreciation for the honour, noting that it reflects the collective efforts of AXA Mansard, its people and the leadership’s committed to building strong, productive organisations.

“This recognition reflects the work we are doing in creating environments where people can grow, thrive, contribute meaningfully, and perform at their best. It is a shared achievement across our teams and leaders I have had the privilege to work with throughout my career,” she said.

Also commenting on the award, Chief Executive Officer, AXA Mansard Insurance, Kunle Ahmed, congratulated Adewusi on the recognition, noting that it underscores her immense contribution in engineering the company’s commitment to productive people and healthy culture at AXA Mansard.

“Omowunmi’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping a workplace that supports both performance and wellbeing. We are excited that she’s being recognised internationally for this consistency and her impact in driving business success”, Ahmed, said.

‎Speaking during an “Advocacy Round Table” webinar organised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Adewusi said businesses must deliberately manage the internal adjustments required by the new tax framework to ensure operational stability and sustained growth.

‎The session brought together industry leaders and policy stakeholders to examine the implications of the emerging tax framework on businesses, particularly its impact on the cost of doing business in Nigeria.

‎According to Adewusi, major policy shifts such as tax reforms often come with operational complexities that require proactive leadership and well-structured transition planning within organisations.

‎“There needs to be a serious change-management strategy that every employer must embark upon,” she said. “The transition to a new tax framework goes beyond regulatory compliance. Organisations must ensure that their internal systems, policies and people are aligned to adapt effectively to the new environment.”

‎She stressed that clear and transparent communication would be critical to maintaining stability within organisations during the transition period, noting that employees and other stakeholders must be properly engaged as companies adjust to the new regulatory realities.

‎“Employers need to be more open with communication, more transparent and more understanding as they move towards adopting the new tax act,” she added.

‎Adewusi noted that such engagement would help reduce uncertainty among employees and support smoother implementation of the reforms within organisations.

‎Despite the adjustment challenges, she expressed optimism about the long-term prospects of the reforms, describing the new tax framework as a potential catalyst for improving Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.

‎She also encouraged startups and emerging businesses to see the reforms as an opportunity to strengthen their operational structures and build sustainable enterprises within a more transparent regulatory system.

‎According to her, businesses that proactively align their internal processes and governance frameworks with the new tax environment will be better positioned to thrive in the evolving economic landscape.

‎Her remarks, she said, reflect the commitment of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc to contributing expert insights to policy discussions shaping Nigeria’s business environment, particularly in areas relating to governance, regulatory compliance and economic reforms.

‎Through such engagements, the company aims to support broader efforts aimed at building a more transparent, resilient and investment-friendly economy.

She stated while delivering a lecture at the Ambassadors Project on Insurance Awareness at the Lagos State University, LASU recently.

The event, organized by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) in partnership with LASU’s Insurance Department is a strategic programme by the CIIN to drive knowledge and awareness of insurance among the youth.

Odunlami said tech and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play crucial roles in bridging the knowledge gap about insurance in Nigeria. She said technology will help get insurance into the hands of more Nigerians and AI will will help in addressing some of the issues that are fuelling distrust in insurance products.

“Sometimes, knowledge comes from experiencing a product. When you use it, you understand it better. Technology is a tool that can give that level of access. For example, through our telecoms and fintech partners, we are reaching over 1.5 million Nigerians with microinsurance.

These are people who could have been deprived of the opportunity to try out insurance. But through USSD and savings apps, we are now reaching them and they are enjoying the benefits of insurance. That is the power of technology”.

“While we are reaching more people and getting them to try out insurance, AI will play a crucial role in ensuring that their expectations are not cut short. We understand that the trust in insurance is still fragile and if we reach more people and can’t keep the promise, we will break the trust and lose the opportunity to educate them. But imagine where we can deploy AI to customize, personalize and increase the speed of fulfilment. That is going to be a game changer, and that’s what we should all invest in as an industry”, Odunlami stressed.

Odunlami furthered that while pricing and risk assessment remain vital to insurance operations, educating the public is key to building trust in the industry.

“The challenge with insurance goes beyond mere awareness. People know that insurance is important; they just haven’t found a reason to trust it,” Odunlami explained. “Understanding the needs of our consumers and providing solutions to meet those needs is essential.”

Encouraging students to envision themselves as future leaders of the industry, Odunlami highlighted the transformative power of innovation and digital advancements in shaping the future of insurance in Nigeria.

She pointed to the country’s low insurance penetration as a compelling reason for industry professionals, particularly emerging talents, to embrace AI and customer-focused solutions in driving the sector’s growth.

“The future of our industry will be led by those who champion innovation,” Jumoke Odunlami of AXA Mansard Insurance said. “This transformation will foster a more resilient and inclusive insurance ecosystem.”

The event served as an invaluable platform for vibrant discussions between thought leaders and the next generation of insurance professionals from LASU.

Alongside Odunlami, other esteemed industry experts are Mary Adeyanju, MD/CEO of Consolidated Hallmark Insurance, Dayo Amusa, and Simeon Mensah of Sovereign Trust Insurance.

As Nigeria’s insurance sector continues to develop, the message is clear: the industry’s future depends on embracing technology, driving innovation, and ensuring inclusivity.

With the next generation of professionals poised to make their mark, the call to action is unmistakable: leverage technology, innovate, and lead the transformation of Nigeria’s insurance landscape for a brighter tomorrow.

The NPF recently announced that effective February 1, 2025, it will commence a nationwide enforcement of the Third-Party Motor Insurance Policy.

The initiative, which aligns with the provisions of Section 68 of the Insurance Act 2003 has been welcomed by NAICOM and the NIA respectively, noting that it is a significant step towards strengthening compliance, ensuring road safety, and protecting motorists and third parties on Nigerian roads.

Speaking on the commencement of the enforcement, Chief Marketing Officer, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, Adebola Surakat, said with defaulters facing fines of up to ₦250,000, the tendency of unscrupulous elements selling fake motor insurance policies to unsuspecting members of the public may be on the rise. 

She advises the insuring public to secure all their insurance policies, including motor insurance from only registered companies and their accredited agents. 

“As a brand committed to protecting our customers and the insuring public, we strongly advise motorists to be cautious and obtain their insurance policies only from licensed and trusted insurers. 

The rise in enforcement may lead to a surge in counterfeit policies, leaving motorists exposed to financial risks. 

As a leader in the industry, we recognise that raising the awareness at this time is the right thing to do because if we allow the public to run into the wrong hands, it will be a setback for the tremendous work that we have been doing to build trust in insurance.

When people buy the counterfeit insurance policy, they will not be able to present it to the police nor will they be able to claim with it if any risks manifest. The backlash will be on the insurance sector, not the fraudulent agents. So, we are taking it as a responsibility to create awareness”. 

Surakat explained that people can visit either the NAICOM or NIA website for a list of registered insurance companies in Nigeria. 

“We have even made it simpler at AXA Mansard, any type of motor insurance ranging from Third Party Motor Insurance to Comprehensive Motor Insurance can be purchased straight from our website. You can get your motor insurance certificate in less than five minutes on either our website, mobile app or any of our welcome centres nationwide”, she said. 

“We have continuously demonstrated reliability through prompt claims payment and seamless customer experience. So, we assure the public of an excellent customer experience throughout the life cycle of the policy.”

AXA Mansard reassures its customers that it remains steadfast in its commitment to providing affordable, accessible, and genuine motor insurance solutions to protect Nigerian motorists from unnecessary financial liabilities.

“We understand the challenges that come with compliance, so we urge all vehicle owners to prioritize authenticity when purchasing their Third-Party Motor Insurance and avoid the risks associated with fake policies,” Surakat added.

According to UNILAG, this prestigious recognition celebrates Adesina’s exceptional contributions as a “globally renowned entrepreneur with extensive experience spanning academia, finance, trade, diplomacy, and the energy sector.”

Speaking on the development, Rashidat Adebisi, chief client officer of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, congratulated Adesina, noting that this honour underscores Adesina’s significant impact in Nigeria and Africa’s growth and development.

She praised his unwavering commitment to excellence and human capital development, highlighting that it is no surprise that a prestigious institution like UNILAG is honouring him.

“As a business, we have greatly benefited from Adesina’s vast expertise and wealth of experience. His outstanding leadership and dedication to our nation’s progress are truly remarkable. We are immensely proud to be associated with him and celebrate this milestone. We believe this honour will inspire Mr. Adesina to continue being a beacon of progress in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape,” Adebisi stated.

Also, Kunle Ahmed, the chief executive officer of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, lauded Adesina’s virtues and emphasised that the honorary degree is a testament to Mr. Adesina’s exemplary leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence.

“Mr. Adesina’s visionary approach has been pivotal in driving our company’s success and positively influencing our ambition to transition from a payer to a partner. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and this well-deserved recognition,” Ahmed remarked.

The conferment ceremony at UNILAG’s main auditorium was graced by dignitaries from various sectors, including academia, finance, and industry, who gathered to honor Mr. Adesina’s remarkable achievements and contributions.