NEM Insurance N27.8bn income inspires optimism on market leadership

The Group Managing Director of NEM Insurance Plc Mr Tope Smart has expressed optimism on the realization of the company’s determination to occupy leadership position of the Nigerian insurance market.

Mr Smart who made the declaration while speaking at the company’s 2021 annual general meeting said that the combination of the quality of NEM Insurance board, management, staff and product innovation and service delivery will continue to ensure that the company maintains its command height in revenue generation and satisfaction of all stakeholders.

While expressing gratitude to insurance brokers and clients for their unalloyed support over the years, Mr Smart rejoiced over the impact of the board of directors on the growth of NEM Insurance as he reminded them that “ words are not enough to express our appreciation to you for creating the right environment which assisted us in delivering value to all stakeholders, we are grateful.

“I want to equally thank all our staff who in the midst of difficulty, brought about by COVID-19 remained undaunted and have continued to deliver superior services to our numerous brokers and clients.

“To all our shareholders, thank you for keeping faith with us in this journey.

“As we look forward to the future, we are confident that more than ever before, our goal of industry leadership is within reach.”

Earlier in his address to shareholders, chairman of NEM Insurance Dr Fidelis Ayebae  was  optimistic that the company will record enhanced performance in the current year as it is poised to recapitalise with enough reserve to do so.

According to him, the underwriter during the period under review generated a gross premium of N27.8 billion for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2021, indicating an increase of 26 per cent when compared with N22 billion achieved in 2020.

Ayebae said the company posted net premium of N19.3 billion from N15.8 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2020, an increase of 23 per cent.

He said the insurance firm incurred a gross claim of N11.6 billion during the review period as against N8.4 billion in 2020, an increase of 26 per cent.

“In the same vein, the net claims expenses of N5.6 billion incurred in 2021 was nine per cent lower than that of the preceding period which was N6.05 billion.

“The net claims ratio for the period under review was 20 per cent as against 27 per cent in 2020 due to good claims recovery during the period under review,” he said.

According to him, though interest rate in commercial paper was low in 2021, the insurer was proactive enough to take the advantage of other investment opportunities to generate income on investment of N1.13 billion.

The chairman said this resulted in an increase of about 13 per cent as against the previous income on investment in 2020 which was N1.004 billion.

Ayebae hinted that investment in Associate (RegencyNem Insurance Ltd., Ghana) was fully impaired in 2021 because of going concern issues.

He stated that the Group incurred the sum of N4.18 billion being an adverse variance of 30 per cent over year 2020, which was N3.22 billion.

The chairman said that the parent company recorded a negative variance of 29.5 per cent over year 2020.

“Specifically, N4.16 billion was incurred in 2021, N3.19 billion was incurred in 2020,” he said.

Ayebae said that the group’s Earnings Per Share ( EPS) for the year under review stood at 89k in contrast with 96k in 2020.

Ayebae said that the group’s Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at N4.45 billion in 2021 lower than N5.08 billion in the previous year, representing a decrease of 12.5 per cent.

“This result is majorly due to sharp decrease in fair value gain,” he said.

He stated that the board of directors had recommended a dividend of 22k per ordinary shares to be paid out of the profit for the year.

On recapitalisation, Ayebae noted that inspite of the suspension of the process by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), NEM Insurance was poised to recapitalise and had enough reserve to do so.

The chairman identified the rising inflation, insecurity, climate change, Russia/ Ukraine war, hike in fuel pump price, unstable labour market and new waves of COVID-19, among others as part of challenges in the present year.

Ayebae expressed optimism that the company would record enhanced performance in the current year.

He said : “As the situation continues to be very dynamic, the company has been working diligently to assess the potential risks posed by COVID-19 to its business on an ongoing basis and to realign its strategies accordingly.

“We are of the opinion that our business operations will not suffer any major setback on account of these major challenges.

“The board and management will continue to leverage its robust technology infrastructure and maintain a healthy result and asset base,” he said.

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