By Olusegun Obisanya
Heirs Life Assurance, the specialist life insurance company of Heirs Insurance Group, has appointed the Founder and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, Pastor Jerry Eze, as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its Board.
The appointment, which took effect on August 10, 2026, is part of the company’s efforts to deepen financial inclusion, strengthen public trust and accelerate insurance adoption across Nigeria.
According to a release from the firm, Eze’s appointment would bring to its Board a combination of community engagement, value-based leadership and experience in reaching large audiences, as the company advances its mission of making insurance accessible to Nigerians.
Eze is the founder and lead pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, which has 34 branches across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe and North America. He is also the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD), a digital prayer platform with millions of followers globally.
Beyond his religious activities, he has been involved in humanitarian and enterprise development initiatives through the Jerry Eze Foundation. In 2026, he announced N1bn in grants for young entrepreneurs in agriculture, technology and manufacturing.
Before becoming a full-time pastor, Eze worked in development communications, including as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and with the United Nations Population Fund.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Abia State University and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Commenting on the appointment, the Chairman of Heirs Life Assurance, Tony O. Elumelu, said Eze’s influence and understanding of people and communities would support the company’s efforts to expand insurance access.
“Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities. As we continue our mission to democratise access to insurance, his insight will help strengthen consumer trust, deepen financial inclusion, and reinforce our commitment to protecting the financial future of millions of Nigerians,” Elumelu said.
Eze, in his response, said he was honoured to join the Board at a defining period for Nigeria’s insurance industry.
According to him, financial security enables individuals, families and businesses to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and resilience.
He said, “I look forward to working with the Board and Management to advance the company’s mission of making insurance more accessible, relevant, and impactful for every Nigerian.”
Heirs Life has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading specialist life insurance companies and ranked seventh on the Financial Times’ list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies.
The company is one of three insurance businesses under Heirs Holdings, a pan-African investment company with investments across 24 countries and four continents.
With a combination of digital channels and physical branches across Nigeria, Heirs Life has positioned innovation and customer-focused solutions at the centre of its strategy to widen access to life insurance.
Heirs Insurance Group, comprising Heirs Life Assurance, Heirs General Insurance and Heirs Insurance Brokers, currently serves more than three million people directly and indirectly, as it continues to push financial inclusion and the digital transformation of insurance in Nigeria.
