The Association of Registered Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN) has voiced its dissatisfaction with the recently introduced licensing portal by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), indicating that it has not resolved the ongoing challenges faced by insurance agents.
ARIAN reports that agents are still unable to initiate and finalize their renewal and licensing procedures on the new portal, despite NAICOM's assurances of an enhanced system. This persistent issue has led to increasing frustration among agents, many of whom are now considering alternative career paths.
The association highlighted that the inefficiencies of the new portal have intensified the difficulties encountered by agents, adversely affecting their operational capabilities within the industry. ARIAN stressed the critical need for NAICOM to address these concerns to maintain the trust and engagement of insurance agents.
These concerns from the association arise shortly after NAICOM's announcement on August 1, 2024, regarding the launch of the new portal aimed at simplifying the licensing process and minimizing manual interventions. However, the actual experience for many agents has not aligned with the promised improvements in ease and efficiency.
As agents continue to face challenges with the new system, ARIAN urges NAICOM to take prompt measures to resolve these issues and ensure that the licensing and renewal processes are fully operational and user-friendly. Without timely intervention, the insurance sector risks losing valuable agents to other fields, thereby undermining the overall integrity of the market.
NAICOM has been called upon to consider the feedback from ARIAN and its members to develop a more effective and dependable portal, allowing agents to perform their professional responsibilities without unnecessary obstacles.