Following a rigorous judging process by industry professionals, the top winners emerged: Team Omnivoice from Nnamdi Azikiwe University emerged as the overall winner, taking home the grand prize of ₦5 million; Team Alafia from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria secured second place with a ₦3 million prize; while Team Von Mises from Lagos State University came third and received ₦1 million.

The winning team comprised Unah Chinweotuto, John Justice, and John Trust.

The grand finale, which was held at Heirs Towers, Lagos, brought together brilliant young tech talent, industry experts, and mentors to celebrate innovation in the insurance sector.

The maiden edition attracted a significant number of entries from students at higher learning institutions across the country, all presenting fresh, practical ideas aimed at transforming insurance in Nigeria.

Themed “The Future of Insurance: Streamlining Insurance with AI”, the Hackathon reflects Heirs Insurance Group’s strong commitment to youth empowerment, digital skills development, and inclusive innovation. It gave students a real platform to apply emerging technologies to actual challenges in the insurance industry while receiving mentorship and industry exposure.

Speaking at the grand finale, Peace O. Philips, chief digital officer of Heirs Insurance Group, said: “We are truly impressed by the outstanding creativity, technical depth, and practical solutions showcased by these young talents today. This maiden hackathon has exceeded our expectations and clearly demonstrates the immense potential of Nigerian youth to solve real insurance challenges using Artificial Intelligence and digital innovation,” he said.

The Heirs Insurance Hackathon was delivered in partnership with Redtech, the digital payment solutions arm of Heirs Holdings.

Heirs Insurance Group is the insurance arm of Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents.

With a rapidly expanding retail footprint and an omnichannel digital presence, Heirs Insurance Group, comprising Heirs General Insurance Limited, Heirs Life Assurance Limited, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, serves both corporate and individual customers across Nigeria.

Heirs Insurance Group is championing financial inclusion and leading the digital insurance play in Nigeria, demonstrating its mission to democratise access to insurance.

The event, which was held in Lagos, offered a curated experience combining guided yoga and stress management sessions with expert-led conversations on insurance, investment and asset protection.

The event reinforced Heirs Insurance Group’s and United Capital’s commitment to making financial wellness relevant and accessible to Nigerian women.

Speaking on the initiative, Ifesinachi Okoli-Okpagu, chief marketing officer at Heirs Insurance Group, underscored the strong link between insurance and wellness.

“Self-care is not just about indulgence; it is about making deliberate choices that safeguard one’s physical, mental, and financial well-being – and insurance is fundamental to that. For many women juggling careers, businesses, and family, this event addresses a significant pain-point: how we protect our assets while still juggling life”, she said.

She introduced HerMotor insurance plan, designed for ambitious women who need more than just insurance.

The unique product offers comprehensive motor coverage against accidents, fire, theft, and other unforeseen incidents that cause loss to the policyholder’s car.

An added benefit is the 24/7 emergency roadside assistance for female car owners during car breakdowns arising from accidents or mechanical faults.

The first-of-its-kind solution in the industry is delivered in partnership with AA Rescue, and includes a robust reward programme, where customers can access discounts from spas, wellness programmes, and more.

Dr. Odiri Oginni, managing director, United Capital Asset Management, added that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to women’s empowerment.

“Empowerment is at the core of what we do, and co-creating on an initiative that directly addresses the financial realities facing Nigerian women further emphasises this. We recognise that financial independence and personal wellness are deeply interconnected, and by creating opportunities that bring both together, we are reinforcing our commitment to empowering women to confidently pursue and achieve their dreams. This vision informed the creation of our Wealth for Women Fund, which provides women with a secure and accessible avenue to invest smartly and build long-term financial security.”

The Yoga and Money Meet Up reflects a joint vision to empower Nigerian women through financial education and protection.

Heirs Insurance Group is the insurance subsidiary of Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents. With a rapidly expanding retail footprint and an omnichannel digital presence, Heirs Insurance Group serves both corporate and individual customers across Nigeria.

United Capital Plc is a leading Pan-African financial and investment services group providing bespoke, value-added solutions to governments, corporations, and individuals across Africa.

With operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, and a growing pan-African footprint, the Group leverages technology, specialist expertise, and retail-led platforms such as InvestNow to deliver cutting-edge financial solutions.

United Capital has been recognised by the Financial Times as one of Africa’s fastest-growing companies for three consecutive years.

Yet by December 31, the company had transformed uncertainty into opportunity, rising from ₦35.8 billion in gross written premiums (GWP) in 2023 to a commanding ₦61 billion in 2024, a staggering 70% surge in revenue

Breaking Through the Claims Barrier

During those same twelve months, Heirs paid out ₦10.4 billion in claims, more than doubling its 2023 payouts of ₦4.18 billion inspenonline.

These aren’t just numbers, they tell a story of trust: customers who believed and stayed when life’s storms hit. For the underwriting team, this milestone became a badge of honour, signalling that the company truly stood behind its promises.

The Life & General Insurance Engines

Within the group, Heirs Life Assurance roared ahead with an 85% spike in GWP, leaping to ₦44.22 billion.

Premium revenue climbed to ₦15.1 billion, and profit before tax soared 193% to ₦5.5 billion. Claims payouts too climbed by 120%, reaching ₦5.67 billion.

Meanwhile, Heirs General Insurance produced solid results: GWP rose 42% to ₦16.9 billion, PBT doubled to ₦4.9 billion, and new claims yielded ₦4.7 billion, 25% higher than the year prior.

Profit and Assets in Overdrive

Behind the scenes, powerful figures underscored these achievements:

• Group earned insurance revenue increased 53% to ₦31.4 billion.
• Profit before tax more than doubled, from ₦4.8 billion to ₦11.2 billion.
• Total group assets expanded 66%, shooting to ₦92.9 billion.

These leaps reflect a well-synchronized growth engine powered by trust, innovation, and disciplined execution.

Digital-First Approach Wins Big

Much of this success rides on digital innovation, Heirs introduced tools like the *USSD code 1100#, the SimpleLife mobile app, and Prince, their AI chatbot, alongside Nigeria’s first digital insurance experience centre.

These platforms made insurance accessible, user-friendly, and engaging, opening doors for more Nigerians to explore coverage with ease.

Beyond Business: Literacy and Advocacy

Growth wasn’t only financial. Heirs championed insurance literacy through an essay competition for students and pushed for inclusive travel policies via a travel festival.

These moves simulate more than revenue, they embody purpose, positioning insurance as a tool for empowerment and financial resilience.

A Vision for Nigeria’s Tomorrow

From this meteoric rise, a picture emerges: a company not just selling policies, but building bridges of trust through financial fortitude and customer care. In doing so, Heirs is helping transform perceptions of insurance, from paperwork to lifeline.

As the rest of the insurance industry watches, Heirs’ story offers a roadmap: combine trust, innovation, and purpose, and you’ll do more than grow, you’ll change lives.