Heirs Life Assurance has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze, founder and lead pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the company.
The appointment took effect on Monday, August 10, 2026, marking a new corporate responsibility for the prominent Nigerian cleric and founder of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations platform, popularly known as NSPPD.
Heirs Life Assurance, the specialist life insurance arm of Heirs Insurance Group, said the decision was part of its broader effort to deepen financial inclusion, increase insurance awareness and improve public confidence in the insurance industry.
The company explained that Eze’s experience in community engagement, leadership and social impact would add a different perspective to its board as it seeks to make insurance products more accessible and relevant to Nigerians.
According to the company, Nigeria’s insurance industry still faces a major challenge in reaching a wider proportion of the population. It noted that insurance penetration remains below one per cent, making public education, trust-building and wider access important priorities for the sector.
The insurer said Eze’s appointment was therefore expected to contribute to efforts aimed at improving understanding of insurance and encouraging more Nigerians to consider financial protection as part of their long-term financial planning.
His appointment also comes as Heirs Life continues to position itself around the broader objective of expanding access to insurance services across the country.
Why Jerry Eze Was Chosen
In announcing the appointment, Heirs Life highlighted Eze’s extensive engagement with communities and his influence through his ministry and humanitarian activities.
The company described him as a leader with experience in community mobilisation and value-based leadership, pointing to his ability to connect with large audiences and engage people around issues affecting their lives.
Eze is the founder and lead pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry and the convener of NSPPD, a digital prayer platform with a substantial international following.
Beyond his religious activities, he has also established the Jerry Eze Foundation, through which he has supported vulnerable people and communities through various charitable interventions.
His philanthropic work has increasingly included economic empowerment initiatives, particularly support for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Earlier in 2026, the Jerry Eze Foundation distributed ₦1 billion in grants to 240 small and micro-business owners across Nigeria. Each beneficiary received about $3,000 to start, expand or transform a business. The beneficiaries were selected from sectors including agriculture and agribusiness, manufacturing, and technology and digital services.
The foundation said more than 16,000 people initially registered for the grant programme, while 9,668 applicants completed the process and met the stipulated requirements before 240 entrepreneurs were selected.
KPMG was engaged to independently manage the beneficiary selection process, according to reports on the programme.
The grant initiative provided additional evidence of Eze’s involvement in programmes focused on entrepreneurship and economic opportunity, areas that align with the wider conversation around financial inclusion.
Eze’s Background
Before becoming a full-time pastor, Eze worked in development communications.
His professional background included work as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme as well as with the United Nations Population Fund.
He studied History and International Relations at Abia State University and later obtained a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
His career therefore spans development communication, religious leadership, community engagement and philanthropy.
The combination of these experiences was highlighted by Heirs Life as part of the value he is expected to bring to the board.
Tony Elumelu Welcomes Eze
Chairman of Heirs Life Assurance, Tony Elumelu, welcomed the appointment and described Eze as someone who brings a combination of integrity, influence and an understanding of communities.
Elumelu said the company was seeking to broaden access to insurance while strengthening public confidence in the sector.
He added that Eze’s perspective would be valuable as Heirs Life works to deepen financial inclusion and protect the financial future of more Nigerians.
The Chairman also expressed the company’s satisfaction with having Eze join the board of Heirs Life Assurance and the wider Heirs Insurance Group.
Eze Reacts To Appointment
Reacting to his new role, Eze expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve on the board at what he described as an important period for the insurance industry.
He said financial security gives individuals, families and businesses greater confidence to pursue their ambitions and withstand economic difficulties.
Eze added that he looked forward to working with the board and management of Heirs Life to advance the company’s objective of making insurance more accessible, relevant and impactful to Nigerians.
His appointment places him in a formal corporate governance role beyond his established activities in ministry, digital communication and philanthropy.
Insurance Industry Seeks Wider Participation
The appointment comes against the backdrop of continuing efforts by stakeholders to increase insurance participation in Nigeria.
Although Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest economies, insurance remains underutilised by a significant portion of the population. Industry stakeholders have repeatedly identified low public awareness, affordability concerns and limited understanding of insurance products among the factors affecting wider adoption.
Heirs Life’s decision to bring someone with a large community and digital audience onto its board reflects the importance increasingly attached to consumer engagement and financial education.
For the company, the objective is not simply to sell more insurance products but also to improve public understanding of why insurance matters in protecting individuals, families and businesses against financial shocks.
Eze’s appointment could consequently provide the insurer with additional insight into how financial protection can be communicated to audiences that may not traditionally engage with insurance companies.
The new board role also represents another expansion of Eze’s public-facing responsibilities. In addition to his leadership of Streams of Joy International Ministry and NSPPD, his foundation’s entrepreneurship and humanitarian initiatives have broadened his involvement in issues relating to community development.
With the appointment effective from August 10, Heirs Life will now have Eze participating at board level as the company continues its push for greater insurance accessibility, consumer confidence and financial inclusion across Nigeria.