General
Why Our Endowment Life Insurance Policy is Different From Others—AXA Mansard
In this interview, the Group Head of Life Business at AXA Mansard, Ms Abisola Nwoboshi, discussed the latest insurance package from the company.
AXA Mansard recently launched the Endowment policy, can you tell us more about the product?
Again, the Endowment policy is another testimony of our commitment to our customers. Over the years, we have found that people are averse to insurance because they think it takes from them without giving back when they are alive.
However, we know that life insurance can make a huge difference in the event of the loss of a loved one.
Consequently, we went back to our drawing board and created this policy called Endowment, which gives the benefit of target savings and life assurance in one plan.
We designed a policy that can be likened to eating your cake and having it because we know that both saving for tomorrow and having life insurance are important to our customers.
Our Endowment plan is a two-in-one policy that provides you with life insurance coverage, helps you save money regularly and pays out a lump sum when your policy term ends. It also offers a death benefit in the event of demise during the policy period.
Ultimately, if you have a goal you would like to save towards, this policy allows you to save, and if you want financial protection for your loved ones as well in case of death, you don’t need a separate plan.
How is this policy different from other life insurance policies in the market today?
This policy is designed with your needs in mind, offering a blend of life insurance and a savings plan. Traditional life insurance often only pays out if death happens to you, which can feel limiting. Our Endowment policy is different because it ensures you receive the full sum assured at the end of the term, even if you’re still alive and well.
We wanted to create a policy that offers peace of mind no matter what. With this policy, you get a guaranteed return. Whether it’s providing a death benefit for your loved ones or receiving an endowment payout yourself, you’re assured of getting something back if the premiums are paid.
We also understand that flexibility is important. That’s why our policy allows you to adjust the premium payments, policy duration, and benefits to fit your unique needs. We curated the endowment policy with the aim of giving you the security and adaptability you deserve, making sure it truly works for you in various life situations.
AXA Mansard is known for its innovation in policy development, but more important is its deep interest in ensuring it solves problems for customers; can you tell us about the gap AXA is bridging with this new product?
Great question. We saw a need to encourage disciplined long-term savings and provide financial security. This policy addresses both by offering a structured savings plan and ensuring that there’s a guaranteed sum for your loved ones in case of an untimely death. This way, we help cushion the impact of losing a provider, which is the primary goal of life assurance.
There are two variants of this product; can you tell us more about it and who should be taking what?
Absolutely! We’ve designed two variants to fit different needs: the AXA Endowment Plan and the AXA Anticipated Endowment Plan. Both plans are there to support you and your loved ones, but they cater to different financial goals.
The AXA Endowment Plan is quite straightforward. It offers terms of 3, 5, 10, and 15 years, with a lump sum payout at the end of the policy term. It’s a great option if you prefer to receive all your benefits at once after a set period.
On the other hand, the AXA Anticipated Endowment Plan provides more flexibility with payouts. It spans 6, 9, 12, and 18 years, and gives you payouts at intervals: 20% after one-third of the term, 30% after two-thirds, and the remaining 50% at the end. This can be helpful if you have different financial goals along the way or need access to funds at various stages.
Ultimately, the choice depends on what variant works best for you. If you’re looking for a single lump sum at the end of your savings period, the Endowment Plan could be ideal. But if you prefer getting payouts at different times to meet various needs, the Anticipated Endowment Plan might be the better fit. We created these options to make sure you have the flexibility to choose what suits your life best.”
A lot of people would rather save for a future date, than buy a life insurance plan; why do you think this notion is growing and how can we further emphasize the importance of life insurance in Nigeria?
People often hesitate because thinking about death is uncomfortable. It’s natural to focus on positive goals and saving for the future. However, it’s also essential to ensure that your loved ones are protected if something unexpected happens. Life insurance is about mitigating the financial impact of death, making sure that dependents can continue without severe financial strain. Our goal is to make people see that both savings, and life insurance are crucial parts of a solid financial plan.
As you know, lack of information is still an issue with insurance in Nigeria; can you share with us how the endowment policy works?
I wouldn’t say lack of information but more around trust and understanding. Many people worry that they won’t get anything back if the insured risk doesn’t happen. The question of “What happens if that risk does not occur? Do I get anything at all? What of all the money I’ve contributed over the years?” Now this is where would like to pacify our customers.
The Endowment Policy guarantees a benefit whether you survive the policy term or not. This assurance helps our customers feel confident that their money is well-spent and that they’re making a smart financial decision.
*People also think that buying an insurance policy like endowment policy can be so tedious and they can just do things by themselves on their own term. How are you addressing the buying process with your digital capabilities at AXA?
We’ve put in a lot of effort to make the buying process as easy as possible. You can purchase the policy online through our website at www.axamansard.com/insurance/life/endowment-plan/. If you prefer in-person assistance, our welcome centres across Nigeria are available, and our sales advisors are ready to help. Our call centre also provides real-time support. We’re committed to making the experience smooth and convenient for everyone!
How is a policy like an endowment policy addressing the notion that it’s only rich people who take Life Insurance?
This was one of the major considerations in setting up this policy. The idea is to get everyone on board, no matter your income level. Would you believe that it is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of what they earn? Premiums can be as low as N5,000 monthly, and the benefits range from 1 million to 200 million naira. We want to ensure that everyone, no matter their financial status, can afford and benefit from life insurance.
How is the Endowment Policy different from the Life Saving insurance and can one person hold the two policies at the same time?
Oh, yes, one person can have both policies. The Endowment Policy pays benefits on death or survival, whereas savings-linked Life insurance accrues interest and pays out at the end of the policy term or upon death. They complement each other well, providing comprehensive financial security.
What are the requirements for anyone who wants the policy and how can they sign up?
Signing up is quite straightforward. You need to fill out a short proposal form, provide an ID card, and make the payment. The policy is then yours! The minimum age to sign up is 18, and the maximum is 64 for the Anticipated Endowment and 67 for the regular Endowment. You can start by visiting our website www.axamansard.com/insurance/life/endowment-plan/ to get an endowment policy today.
General
EFCC Admits Freezing Osun Bank Account, Alleges N11bn Embezzlement
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained why it initiated a move to freeze the bank account of the Osun State government.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Governor of Osun State, Mr Ademola Adeleke, claimed that the anti-money laundering agency asked one of its bankers, First Bank, not to release funds to the state government.
According to the Governor, this was part of the strategies to frustrate his administration ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election in the state.
Reacting to the issue on Wednesday night, the EFCC, in a statement, said it has been investigating the state government since March 2026 over an alleged “fraudulent handling of Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) account to the tune of N11.0 billion.
The organisation noted that some officials of the state government, especially the Accountant General of the State, have had interview sessions with investigators of the EFCC.
“These ongoing investigations of the state government would not have warranted any placement of Post No Debit order on its account but for the precipitate and unwarranted movement of funds from the accounts to different suspicious accounts since August 2, 2026.
“The commission noticed huge transfers of funds into different corporate entities and had to swiftly halt the trend by freezing the accounts from which such heavy funds are being moved,” parts of the statement said.
In the disclosure, the agency noted that its preventive mandate is a public-inclined framework of safeguarding public funds, assets and resources, stressing that it cannot “watch idly while a state government’s account is being pillaged.”
“While the commission is fully aware of the impending governorship election in Osun State, it has a responsibility to act in defence of the sanctity of the funds of the state. It will be uncharitable for the commission to allow an excuse of an upcoming election to fold its arms to perform its legally-assigned functions,” it pointed out.
The EFCC disclosed that it is “keeping watch over the finances of other states like Osun State. Many of these states are on the investigative radar of the commission to ensure accountability and probity. The commission has always pointed out that it is non-partisan and non-sectarian but always working in the overall interests of Nigerians. The Osun State government account was frozen to save public funds from being looted.”
The organisation urged the public “to ignore false narratives and deliberate demonisation of the works of the EFCC. The interests of all Nigerians are greater and will always be protected by the commission.”
General
NMDPRA Launches App to Track Fuel Consumption Across Filling Stations
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has launched a mobile application designed to monitor fuel consumption patterns in real time across retail outlets nationwide.
The NMDPRA, established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, is responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations. The deployment of the mobile application aligns with the authority’s broader efforts to leverage technology to improve regulatory compliance and strengthen accountability.
The pilot phase of the project began on August 1 in Abuja and its six Area Councils, the authority said in a statement published on X.
As part of the rollout, the Executive Director for Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure (DSSRI), Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, led a team alongside officials from the Abuja Regional Office to assess the readiness and operational performance of the digital platform at participating retail outlets.
According to the NMDPRA, the application captures inventory and compliance data in real time, enabling regulators to monitor fuel distribution more effectively while improving operational efficiency across the sector.
The authority said the platform would generate reliable, data-driven insights to support evidence-based decision-making, strengthen national energy security planning and enhance transparency in the downstream petroleum industry.
It added that the initiative is expected to provide significant value to government, investors, operators and other stakeholders by improving access to accurate fuel consumption and compliance data.
Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector has undergone significant changes since the deregulation of the petrol market and the removal of fuel subsidies, with regulators placing greater emphasis on data-driven supervision to ensure product availability, prevent supply disruptions and discourage sharp regional disparities in distribution.
General
Onafriq, Privy to Build Regulated Stablecoin Infrastructure for B2Bs
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
No doubt, moving money among African markets remains a slow, fragmented process that relies on multiple intermediaries and prolonged settlement cycles.
To solve this issue and drive the development of stablecoin-enabled payment services for businesses across the continent, Onafriq has joined forces with a leading stablecoin infrastructure provider, Privy.
The collaboration will enable Onafriq to create and manage embedded digital asset solutions for its partners and, in time, institutional clients where regulation allows. The initial phase focuses on cross-chain stablecoin transfers and treasury and settlement workflows, creating the foundation for future cross-border payment and liquidity solutions.
Integrating Privy’s secure infrastructure enables Onafriq to build the capabilities required to support a new generation of efficient digital payment services for banks, fintechs, and mobile money operators.
This partnership is a key component of Onafriq’s broader strategy to modernise pan-African payment infrastructure, enabling secure multi-modal wallets and more efficient movement of value across the continent.
The outcome will support a range of future institutional use cases, including stablecoin-enabled settlement, treasury management and liquidity services, as it reflects Onafriq’s commitment to driving Africa’s digital transformation agenda by investing in technologies that make financial services more efficient, connected and accessible.
It was gathered that Onafriq selected Privy for its enterprise-grade infrastructure to enable the seamless integration of digital asset wallet capabilities into its products, subject to regulatory approval, and deliver a simple user experience while abstracting the complexity of blockchain technology.
“At Onafriq, we keep investing in technology that makes payments faster and more accessible. Privy gives us a building block for faster settlement and better liquidity management. As demand for digital asset services grows, our goal is to ensure Africa’s payment ecosystem benefits securely and in line with regulatory frameworks,” the Group Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Onafriq,” Mr Luke Kyohere, said.
The chief executive of Privy, Mr Henri Stern, said, “Stablecoins will play an increasingly important role in the future of global payments, but real-world adoption depends on infrastructure that is secure, scalable and simple to implement. Working with Onafriq allows us to help build that foundation across Africa and beyond.”



