Olufemi Adeyemi 

In a bid to bolster financial literacy and deepen the quality of media reporting within Nigeria's non-banking financial services sector, Leadway Group, one of the country’s foremost financial services organisations, recently held its annual media training for journalists covering insurance, pensions, asset management, and healthcare.

The training session, which brought together journalists from across various media platforms, was part of Leadway’s broader strategic initiative to enhance public understanding and media coverage of financial inclusion and wellness. By engaging reporters on critical issues in the financial ecosystem, the group seeks to foster more accurate, responsible, and impactful journalism.

The capacity-building programme featured expert-led sessions from professionals across Leadway's associate companies—including Leadway Assurance, Leadway Pensure, Leadway Health, Leadway Asset Management, and Leadway Trustees. Each session was tailored to equip media professionals with practical knowledge and tools needed to interpret and communicate complex financial subjects effectively.

Mr. Babatunde Lamina, Processing Specialist at Leadway Pensure, delivered an informative presentation on the pensions subsector, with a focus on Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs). “AVC is a smart way for professionals to boost their retirement savings beyond statutory contributions,” Lamina said. “Contributors can allocate up to one-third of their salary, and the scheme is also accessible to retirees, contract workers, political appointees, and expatriates. However, it's crucial to notify your employer before enrolling.”

Another key session was led by Mr. Adekanmi Adelakun, Team Leader, Financial Exposure, Casualty and Liability Claims at Leadway Assurance. He demystified the insurance claims process, walking participants through the entire lifecycle—from initial documentation to eligibility and claim notification. “The claims process is essentially our shop window; it reflects how customers perceive us,” Adelakun explained. “It’s essential for policyholders to understand the scope and limits of their insurance coverage.”

Eniola Odukale, Sales Executive, International Retail & SME at Leadway Health, highlighted the company’s expanding healthcare services. “Leadway Health is built on a foundation of customer-centric values,” she said. “We’ve established over 2,500 hospital partnerships nationwide, and we’re growing our international reach in countries like the UK, South Africa, and India. Our goal is to bridge healthcare access gaps, particularly in underserved communities.”

Commenting on the overall goal of the initiative, Aishat Bello-Garuba, Head of Corporate Services at Leadway Group, underscored the critical role of the media in shaping public perception and trust. “Financial services are often misunderstood. Empowering journalists with accurate information is essential to helping the public make informed decisions about their financial and health security.”

Through programmes like this, Leadway Group reaffirms its commitment to building a more informed society and fostering strong industry-media relationships that support Nigeria’s broader economic growth agenda.