CIFM hinges success on professional development
Nigeria’s premier institution for insurance education, the College of Insurance and Financial Management, has highlighted the critical role of professional development in driving organisational success.
CIFM revealed this at the third edition of its Learning and Development Confab themed ‘Nurturing Excellence: Unlocking Human Potential through Effective Talent Management,’ which was concluded recently.
The College of Insurance and Financial Management is dedicated to the professional development of individuals and organisations in the insurance and financial services sectors.
In her speech, the President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Mrs Yetunde Ilori, emphasised the importance of collaboration and feedback, calling for inputs on how the college could better serve the insurance industry in terms of learning and manpower development.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the College Board, Mr. Akinjide Orimolade, represented by Mrs. Arusiuka Adetutu, emphasised the importance of equipping professionals with the skills needed for effective administration and leadership.
“As we navigate the complexities of our rapidly evolving landscape, it is clear that our people are our greatest assets. We will continue to engage in thought-provoking discussions, share best practices, and explore cutting-edge strategies for talent management. Let us work together to nurture excellence, unlock human potential, and drive success in our organisations,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, the Rector of the College, Dr Chizoba Ehiogu, highlighted the relevance of the conference theme, saying, “In an era of rapid technological advancements, dynamic workforce demands, and evolving business environments, continuous learning and development remain pivotal to personal and organisational success. This conference serves as an opportunity to exchange knowledge, explore innovative strategies, and foster collaborations that drive sustainable growth.”
She encouraged participants to actively engage, network, and leverage the insights shared, urging them to “challenge conventional thinking, embrace new perspectives, and work towards embedding a culture of learning in every organisation.”
A management consultant, who was a guest speaker at the confab, Dr Afolabi Ajayi, noted that the future of work hinges on organisations’ ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent.
“Human resources practitioners must address evolving workplace trends, including technology integration, office automation, diversity, compensation strategies, flexible work arrangements, remote collaboration, and cross-border engagement. Retention strategies must be customised to align with emerging talent needs,” said Dr. Ajayi.
Other notable speakers included Mrs Chinenye Edward of Gracedge Limited, who delivered an insightful presentation on the transformative power of mentorship and coaching in the workplace. She highlighted the profound impact on employee development, engagement, retention, leadership, and productivity and provided actionable strategies for organisations to leverage mentorship and coaching in building a pipeline of future leaders, effectively bridging potential gaps in leadership.
During an interactive session, Mrs Oluyemisi Situ, Chartered Accountant and Consultant at CRL Business Solutions, emphasised that organisations must position themselves as employers of choice to drive optimal results.
She noted that HR professionals must strike the right balance between setting performance metrics and fostering mentorship to build high-performing teams that exceed stakeholders’ expectations.
The event also featured award presentations by the President, Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, to individuals and corporations that supported and subscribed to the College’s training programmes during the 2024 Financial Year.
Miss Ekanem Oluwatomiwa won the Outstanding L&D Personnel award; the Outstanding Trained L&D Organisation award went to AIICO Insurance Plc; the Bancassurance Company of the Year award went to Prudential Zenith Life; the Agency Company of the Year award was received by Heirs Life Assurance Limited; and Leadway Assurance received the Valued Client Award.
