Nigerian Insurance Firms Commence Plans for Fresh Recapitalisation

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigerian insurance and reinsurance companies have commenced efforts to meet fresh recapitalisation announced by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) before a July 2026 deadline.

The fresh recapitalisation exercise for insurance and reinsurance firms in Nigeria announced last week puts a minimum capital for life underwriting organisations at N10 billion, non-life at N15 billion, composite firms at N25 billion, and reinsurance companies at N35 billion.

The initiative is part of the enactment of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025, which was recently assented to by President Bola Tinubu.

NAICOM stated that following the enactment of the NIIRA 2025 and assent of Mr Tinubu on July 31, 2025, “the commission hereby notifies all insurance and reinsurance companies of the commencement of the recapitalisation exercise as prescribed by the NIIRA 2025.”

The regulator said the new capital requirements to be introduced would be based on a risk-based model, noting that in line with the provisions of the Act, the new MCR takes effect from the date of Presidential assent, and all operators are required to comply fully within a 12-month period from the effective date.

NAICOM, however, stated that a 12-month period has been provided for insurers and reinsurers to comply with the new MCR as well as the applicable RBC as may be determined, adding that all insurers and reinsurers shall comply with the requirements on or before July 30, 2026.

On guidelines for the exercise, it stated, “The commission shall, in due course, issue comprehensive guidelines and circulars detailing the modalities for the recapitalisation exercise.

“These shall include, but not be limited to: the composition of the MCR, acceptable forms of capital, procedures for capital verification, qualifying assets for MCR purposes, and criteria such as title, ownership, and existence, a standardised template for computation of MCR.”

On the treatment of assets regarding the exercise the agency stated, “For the avoidance of doubt, insurers and reinsurers are hereby informed that encumbered assets, assets without perfected title or ownership, and assets not in the full possession of an insurer/reinsurer shall be inadmissible for the purpose of meeting the MCR.”

It added that assets that exceed prudential thresholds or do not meet the prescribed criteria shall also be deemed inadmissible.

On the verification of the assets, the Commission stated, “All assets for the purpose of the new MCR shall be subject to verification by the Commission or its appointed agents.

“In addition, where, due to the nature or circumstances of an asset, the Commission deems it necessary to undertake further verification beyond the norm, the cost of such non-standard verification shall be borne by the concerned insurer or reinsurer.”

On the issue of new certificates for firms that successfully cross the recapitalisation hurdle, the commission stated, “Upon fulfilment of the new MCR, payment of the requisite fees and confirmation by the Commission, the successful insurance and reinsurance company shall be issued a new licence by the Commission.

“Any company that fails to meet the prescribed MCR within the stipulated time frame shall be subject to liquidation, merger, or any other regulatory resolution action as may be deemed appropriate by the commission.”