By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Shareholders of Wapic Insurance Plc have authorised the board of directors of the company to raise additional capital up to N6.5 billion so as to meet the new recapitalisation policy of the industry’s regulator, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).
On May 20, 2019, the agency issued a circular to insurance firms operating in Nigeria to raise their capital base within 13 months or lose their licences.
This came months’ after NAICOM had cancelled its initial tier-based recapitalisation introduced last year. Stakeholders in the sector had kicked against the policy, which forced the regulator to dump the idea.
In the new policy, NAICOM said those in the general insurance category must raise their minimum paid-up share capital to N10 billion, while those in the life insurance segment should have N8 billion instead of the former N2 billion.
Also, the non-life insurance companies are to raise theirs from N3 billion to N10 billion, while composite insurance firms must raise their capital from N5 billion to N18 billion, with re-insurance companies expected to have N20 billion instead of N10 billion.
Wapic Insurance operates in the general and life categories and would be expected to meet the requirements if it hopes to continue to operate in the country.
In order to raise its capital from N8.5 billion to N15 billion, the board proposed the creation of 13 billion additional ordinary shares of 50 kobo each, which the shareholders approved at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos recently.
Chairman of the firm, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, a former banker, said the decision was in the best interest of shareholders, as it will enable the company to accommodate any share capital increase.
He assured shareholders that the company will emerge stronger by the end of the recapitalisation exercise, commending NAICOM on the capital base increase, stressing that insurance business requires funding to attract the right talent, build skills and grow the business.
Managing Director of Wapic Insurance, Ms Yinka Adekoya, said going forward, the company plans to up its drive for business excellence through sustainable practices, motivated by its commitment to customer satisfaction.
“While we are hopeful about our future, we are very conscious of the realities of geopolitical and economic volatility, regulatory challenges, foreign currency pressure and customer needs and consumption pattern.
“Wapic will continue to improve and emerge stronger than ever. Our current financial performance together with our firm commitment to improving our service delivery underlines our affirmation that our efforts to date at building an institution of repute have been successful,” she said.
In the 2018 fiscal year, Wapic Insurance posted a gross written premium of (GWP) of N13.9 billion, a 42 percent increase from N9.81 billion in 2017, while the underwriting profit rose by 40 percent to N2.2 billion.
However, the group experienced an 88 percent decline in profit before tax (PBT) to close at N187 million, negatively impacted by drop in investment and other income, and the growth in underwriting and operating expenses for the period.
The company paid claims amounting to N4.96 billion, a 30 percent increase from N3.82 billion paid out in 2017, underscoring the importance it attaches to its customers towards meeting their claims obligation.
