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.

The initiative forms part of the 2026 AXA Week for Good themed, “Being A Child Shouldn’t Be A Risk,” aimed at improving public enlightenment, encouraging reporting of abuse cases and strengthening child protection mechanisms at the grassroots.

Under the partnership with DSVA, employee volunteers of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc will embark on door-to-door community engagements in collaboration with the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, which will provide technical support, training and guidance during the campaign.

The company said the programme builds on the success of its 2025 collaboration with the agency, which focused on school-based interventions to educate children and teachers on domestic and sexual violence.

Adebola Surakat, chief marketing officer of AXA Mansard, said this year’s campaign is targeted at families, parents, caregivers and community leaders because statistics show that most abuse cases occur within homes and among people familiar to children.

According to her, over 60 per cent of domestic and sexual violence cases involving children are linked to people known to them, making community sensitisation critical in tackling the menace.

She said the initiative would cover six communities where volunteers would educate residents on identifying abuse, reporting channels and safe parenting practices.

Surakat noted that AXA Mansard has continued to invest in social advocacy against domestic and sexual violence because organisations must contribute to building safer societies where they operate.

She added that in 2025, about 96 per cent of the company’s employees dedicated at least 30 minutes of their working hours to volunteer activities focused on raising awareness against domestic and sexual violence.

Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, executive secretary of the DSVA, said domestic and sexual violence thrives in silence, ignorance and fear, stressing the need for continuous public education and community engagement.

Vivour-Adeniyi commended AXA Mansard for sustaining the partnership, noting that safeguarding children requires collective action involving government, the private sector and members of the public.

She said taking advocacy directly into communities would empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge needed to identify warning signs, protect vulnerable children and report abuse cases promptly.

AXA Week for Good is the flagship programme under AXA Mansard’s employee volunteering initiative, AXA Hearts in Action, through which employees reportedly contributed over 20,000 volunteer hours in 2025.

‎The three-day retreat is scheduled to hold from April 9 to April 11 at Park Inn by Radisson, Abeokuta, and will convene marketing and communications professionals from Nigeria’s insurance sector under the theme: “Reimagining Insurance: Towards a Unified Narrative, Trust and National Relevance.”

‎According to the organisers, the retreat will address key challenges confronting the industry, including low public trust, limited insurance adoption, increasing regulatory demands, and the need for measurable marketing impact in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

Segun Bankole, chairman of CAMCONIA, said the industry must reposition marketing and communications as strategic drivers of growth rather than support functions.

‎“Driving insurance penetration in Nigeria requires more than product innovation. It demands a unified narrative, stronger trust, and deliberate engagement with today’s consumers,” he said. “We are tasking ourselves to transition into active business enablers capable of shaping perception and influencing the national relevance of our industry.”

‎Participants are expected to gain practical skills in measuring marketing effectiveness, building consumer trust, and deploying data-driven strategies to improve insurance uptake. Sessions will also cover regulatory compliance, unified storytelling, and tools to enhance marketing performance.

‎The retreat will feature a lineup of industry experts, including Dr. Abiodun Ajiborode, Founder/CEO of Brand Management Academy; Odion Aleobua, Founder/CEO of Modion Communications; Chioma Ezechukwu, Head of Strategy and Business Transformation at Rex Insurance; and Abba Halil Inuwa, Head of Corporate Affairs at NAICOM, among others.

‎They will lead discussions on transforming marketing into a revenue-impact function, leveraging data to tackle low penetration, navigating regulatory frameworks, and building trust in a digital-first economy. The programme will include workshops, panel sessions, and case-study presentations designed to encourage practical learning and collaboration.

‎Chairman of the retreat planning committee, Olusesan Ogunyooye, who is also head of Marketing at AXA Mansard, said the initiative reflects a shift in mindset within the industry.

‎“Our focus on ROI, penetration, and regulatory policy is a direct response to current realities. We must become strategic partners who can demonstrate value, influence business outcomes, and help shape a more compelling story for insurance in Nigeria,” he said.

‎Organisers noted that the retreat aligns with the five-point agenda of the Nigeria Insurers Association Governing Council, aimed at strengthening innovation, improving marketing accountability, and enhancing collaboration within the sector.

‎As Nigeria targets a one trillion-dollar economy, CAMCONIA said the retreat is expected to drive fresh thinking, deepen industry cooperation, and reinforce the role of insurance as a critical pillar of national economic development.

The praises came on the hills of the organization’s Valentine’s Day campaign, where AXA Mansard, in partnership with Uzor Arukwe, paid surprise visits to some of its customers.

According to Mrs. Ojamomi, the gesture doesn’t just make her feel seen; it makes her feel heard and cared for.

She commented,

“AXA Mansard came around to show me this much love. I feel like someone sees me, someone cares for me, so thank you so much”.

On her part, Mrs. Akinyele, a beneficiary of the company’s Life Insurance, noted that the gesture is a reminder that she is not alone, thanking AXA Mansard for being a thoughtful and humane brand.

Another customer, Mrs. Mfonobong, couldn’t hold her excitement. On sighting the AXA Mansard and Odogwu team, she exclaimed, “AXA Mansard, you are the best!”

Torrents of commendations have also poured in on social media, with people acknowledging AXA Mansard for introducing another perspective on Valentine’s.

According to Your Abuja Doctor on X, he wrote, “As a medical doctor, I can honestly say that AXA Mansard HMO is not just an HMO, it’s the only HMO that cares about its clients. Kudos to them for being patient centered”.

Another X user, Frank Cutex, wrote:

“This video of AXA Mansard teaming up with a Nollywood actor to surprise their customers is easily the best thing you will watch today. The emotions are so real, and I could literally feel the love. That’s what a partner for life feels like”.

Thanking the customers for their commitment and patronage, Adebola Surakat, chief marketing officer, AXA Mansard, said the company is most grateful for the incredible partnership they have enjoyed.

She added,

“For us, this is more than just an initiative, it is another way we want to show that real people benefit from insurance, and AXA Mansard is not just an insurer who pays when life happens, but an insurance that’s thoughtful and partnering with you every step of life’s journey”.

 In a series of surprise visits, the company presented care packages, free health insurance coverage and personalised gestures to customers across Lagos, reinforcing its message that love extends beyond romance to protection and wellbeing.

Adding a touch of celebrity excitement, Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe, popularly known as “Odogwu,” joined the initiative, engaging customers and sharing in moments that ranged from joyful to deeply personal.

Among those visited were two new mothers adjusting to early parenthood and a customer navigating a sensitive personal season. According to the company, the initiative was designed to demonstrate that care and protection remain central to its brand promise.

AXA Mansard said the outreach reflects its broader commitment to meeting customers at critical life moments, providing not only insurance solutions but tangible reassurance.

Beyond the Valentine engagement, the company also relaunched its “She Is In Charge” platform for the year, a community-driven initiative focused on empowering women to balance ambition, personal growth, and relationships.

The February edition centred on the theme of intentional living, encouraging women to pursue career goals, financial independence, and personal well-being without compromising on love and family aspirations.

As part of the storytelling segment, the platform featured a personal account from a female entrepreneur who navigated pressures within her marriage while scaling her business.

The story highlighted themes of communication, restructuring, and self-advocacy, underscoring the message that women do not have to choose between professional ambition and family life.

AXA Mansard said the combined initiatives reflect its evolving customer engagement strategy, one that blends financial protection with social impact and community building.

Founded as part of the global AXA Group, AXA Mansard provides life, health, and general insurance solutions, as well as investment management services, to individuals and businesses across Nigeria.

This Valentine’s Day, AXA Mansard is doubling down on its “Payer-to-Partner” strategy, announcing a high-profile collaboration with Nollywood star Uzor Arukwe for its latest campaign, #PartnerForLife.

The move signifies a departure from traditional, transactional insurance marketing, pivoting instead toward a narrative of emotional safety and institutional reliability.

By leveraging Arukwe’s massive “Odogwu” appeal, the insurer aims to bridge the gap between financial protection and the milestones that define the Nigerian experience.

From Claims Processor to Lifestyle Partner

At the core of this campaign is a structural shift in how AXA Mansard views its relationship with its policyholders.

For Tope Adeniyi, CEO of AXA Mansard Health Limited, the #PartnerForLife theme is a deliberate push against the “transactional” stigma often associated with the industry.

“We love to build meaningful and enduring relationships. So, Valentine’s Day presents us a perfect opportunity to put our word to action, assuring our dear customers that we will always be by their sides through life’s milestones, challenges, and moments that truly matter,” Adeniyi stated.

The ‘Influencer-Market’ Fit

The choice of Uzor Arukwe reflects a calculated alignment between a celebrity’s brand persona and corporate values.

In an era where “Customer First” is often a hollow slogan, AXA Mansard is betting that Arukwe’s reputation for professional excellence and audience empathy will translate into brand trust.

Adebola Surakat, chief marketing officer at AXA Mansard, noted that the partnership is anchored in the shared values of courage and empathy.

“Uzor is an embodiment of love, empathy, and care; but more important for us is the value of customers first. We are convinced that he cherishes his audience and puts them first, that is the reason every time he has the opportunity, he puts in his best to ensure that he entertains and inspires. So, to demonstrate our commitment to the same value and show our customers that they are valued, appreciated, and celebrated, this Valentine’s season and always, we found a worthy partner in Uzor for this season.”

Gamifying Protection: The Social Media Push

To drive engagement, the campaign features a social media challenge designed to humanize the concept of “coverage.”

Participants are encouraged to tag their ‘safe spaces’, the people who make life easier, with the most engaging entries winning exclusive health insurance packages.

Building the ‘Safety’ Narrative

For three years, AXA Mansard has been on a journey to reshape the Nigerian narrative around protection. By shifting from one-off premium payments to long-term “life partnerships,” the firm is attempting to solve a critical trust deficit in the market.

In a climate where macro-economic volatility makes health and life insurance feel like a luxury, AXA’s strategy of using relatable, tech-savvy campaigns could be the key to moving insurance from an “option” to an “essential.”

‎In its unaudited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, the Group reported solid top-line performance across Property and Casualty, Life and Savings, and Health businesses, reflecting the resilience of its operating model amid a challenging macroeconomic environment.

‎A breakdown of performance showed that Property and Casualty insurance revenue rose by 11 per cent to ₦68.48 billion from ₦61.88 billion in FY’24, while Life and Savings grew by 14 per cent to ₦25.77 billion from ₦22.56 billion.

The Health segment recorded the strongest growth, expanding by 40 per cent to ₦66.32 billion, compared with ₦47.23 billion in the previous year.

Despite the strong revenue growth, Profit Before Tax (PBT) declined sharply by 81 per cent to ₦6.12 billion from ₦31.69 billion in FY’24. However, the company noted that the decline was largely due to foreign exchange effects recorded in the prior year.

Commenting on the results, Mrs. Ngozi Ola-Israel, the chief financial officer, explained that FY’24 earnings benefited from a one-off foreign exchange gain of ₦27 billion, compared with a ₦0.9 billion foreign exchange loss in FY’25.

“Excluding this non-recurring FX impact, underlying profitability improved significantly, with adjusted profit before tax rising by 46 per cent year-on-year to ₦6.98 billion,” she said.

According to her, the performance reflects disciplined underwriting, sound risk management, and continued improvements in operational efficiency, despite elevated claims severity and frequency in the Property and Casualty and Health portfolios.

‎Also commenting, Mr. Kunle Ahmed, the chief executive officer, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, said the Group maintained a strong financial position during the year, supported by robust premium growth, prudent capital management, and adequate liquidity.

He added that while inflationary pressures and higher claims affected margins, the company’s balance sheet and cash generation remained resilient.

On regulatory compliance, Ahmed noted that the Group’s unaudited FY’25 numbers position it to exceed the new minimum capital requirements under the NIIRA, with over ₦15 billion for non-life business and ₦10 billion for life business.

‎Looking ahead to FY’26, management said its focus would be on accelerating profitable growth, strengthening underwriting and claims discipline, deepening cost efficiency, and investing further in digital and data capabilities to enhance customer outcomes and long-term shareholder value.

The solution, powered by Curacel, allows customers to complete required vehicle inspections by submitting photographs of their vehicles through their smartphones.

The process applies to the initiation of comprehensive motor insurance policies, policy renewals, and claims assessments.

‎This new feature further demonstrates AXA’s continued commitment to make the insurance process easy and personalized through digitization.

The digital inspection system receives images submitted by customers, scans them through an automated review process, and generates inspection reports that are used within AXA Mansard’s existing underwriting and claims workflow

‎Commenting on the tool, Chizuru Nwankwonta, chief technology officer, AXA Mansard Insurance, said:

“At AXA Mansard, we continue to introduce solutions that make insurance processes easier and faster. This digital inspection option reduces the need for physical assessments and offers customers more flexibility in how they complete key steps in their motor insurance journey.”

‎The digital inspection system was developed in collaboration with Curacel, an insurance technology provider whose platform supports image submission, automated screening, and documentation processing.

The integration is part of AXA Mansard’s approach to working with external technology partners on specific operational modules.

‎The digital inspection process is currently available nationwide. Customers will be able to access the feature through designated digital channels, including AXA Mansard’s customer platforms and links made available during motor insurance onboarding.

Speaking at the inaugural AXA Mansard Sustainability Symposium held in Lagos, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Kunle Ahmed, urged corporate leaders to shift their focus from “risk to resilience” by embedding environmental and social sustainability into their operations.

‎The call comes as Nigeria and other West African countries face worsening climate challenges. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), heavy rains and flooding affected about 6.9 million people across West and Central Africa in 2024, with Nigeria accounting for approximately 1.3 million of those impacted.

Lagos alone now experiences annual flooding that disrupts lives and businesses.

“These statistics are not just numbers; they represent families, communities, and enterprises. They demonstrate that climate risk is a business risk,” Ahmed said.

‎Highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainability, Ahmed disclosed that AXA Mansard has assessed more than ₦14.5 billion worth of assets for climate risk exposure over the past three years.

Within the same period, the firm reduced petrol-related emissions by 46 %, electricity-related emissions by 34 %, diesel emissions by 12 %, and water consumption by 39 %. He added that employees have contributed more than 30,000 hours of volunteering, positively impacting over 10,000 lives.

“For us, sustainability is not a buzzword; it is the reason our business will continue to serve Nigerians,” he said.

‎The insurer is also driving innovation to shield communities from climate shocks. In collaboration with the Insurance Development Forum, UNDP, AXA Climate, and Swiss Re, AXA Mansard helped design a parametric flood insurance solution for Lagos State.

Using satellite-based flood triggers, the product enables rapid payouts and is projected to protect up to four million people, offering coverage of up to US$7.5 million during a catastrophic flood event.

“This initiative demonstrates how insurance can close the protection gap and strengthen community resilience,” Ahmed noted.

‎He further encouraged Nigerian businesses to view sustainability as a competitive advantage rather than an expense, citing the AXA Future Risks Report 2025, which ranks climate change among the top three global threats to enterprises.

“Adopting sustainable practices reduces operational risks, protects cash flows, opens new markets, and attracts investors. It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s smart business,” he affirmed.

‎Ahmed reiterated AXA Mansard’s commitment to working with its customers in advancing a low-carbon, inclusive economy.

“Nigeria has enormous potential to build a green economy. With your collaboration and our expertise, we can transform risk into resilience and create shared value for all,” he concluded.

Mr. Tope Adeniyi, the company’s chief executive officer, made the call during a breakfast meeting with senior human resources (HR) and business leaders in Lagos, where discussions centred on the escalating cost of healthcare and its impact on workforce wellbeing.

‎Adeniyi noted that while rising operational costs remain a reality for many organisations, prioritising employee wellness yields measurable returns in performance and cost management.

‎“Every business leader knows the pressure of cost containment,” he said. “But we have learned, from more than a decade of serving thousands of employees across Nigeria’s most demanding sectors, that companies which treat wellbeing as a performance driver not a cost centre  are the ones that thrive.”

‎He added that data from AXA Mansard Health’s portfolio show a clear link between proactive investment in employee wellbeing and reduced claims costs per employee.

“Cutting health or wellness budgets to ‘save’ money often backfires,” he said. “When employees are stressed or unwell, they may show up physically but be mentally and emotionally absent.”

‎Adeniyi emphasised that supporting staff health should be viewed as sound business strategy, not corporate social responsibility.

“Taking care of our employees is not a sentimental choice  it’s good business,” he affirmed.

‎Other participants at the session, comprising HR heads and business executives, discussed the challenges of balancing rising healthcare expenses with meaningful employee support. They also stressed the importance of embedding wellbeing into leadership culture, noting that executives who model healthy practices foster loyalty and enhance productivity

‎AXA Mansard Health showcased its wellness platform, which provides employees access to over 2,000 hospitals nationwide, telemedicine consultations, health education programmes, and lifestyle management tools.

By focusing on preventive care and real-time health management, the insurer said it helps organisations reduce costs while improving health outcomes.

‎Reaffirming its commitment to holistic employee wellbeing, the company pledged continued partnership with employers to address the dual challenge of rising healthcare costs and workforce performance.

Adeniyi concluded that AXA Mansard Health remains dedicated to equipping businesses with data-driven insights and practical tools to sustain a healthy, productive workforce.