Joy Agwunobi
Heirs Insurance Group has announced the winners of its maiden Retirement Dream Competition, a nationwide initiative aimed at helping retired and soon-to-retire Nigerians transform long-held aspirations into reality.
The competition, launched in August 2025 with a ₦5 million prize pool, was created to spotlight the importance of retirement planning while empowering older citizens with the financial support to pursue meaningful post-work ambitions.
The contest invited Nigerians aged 50 to 75 to submit a one-minute video articulating their retirement dream and explaining how the grant would enable them achieve it. The call attracted hundreds of entries from across the country, with submissions pouring in from both urban centres and rural communities, an indication of the widespread interest in retirement readiness and long-term financial security among Nigeria’s ageing population.
Following a rigorous assessment process, three winners emerged from the nationwide competition. The overall top prize went to Kayode Kolade, a 51-year-old former public servant from Rivers State, who received ₦2.5 million after judges commended the clarity of his vision and the compelling way he articulated his retirement ambition.
He was closely followed by Rakiya Idris, a 64-year-old retiree from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who secured the second-place position with a ₦1.5 million award in recognition of her thoughtful submission. In third place was Sodeke Olusola, a 60-year-old resident of Lagos State, who earned a ₦1 million grant to support the pursuit of her post-retirement goals.
Speaking at the announcement of the winners, Niyi Onifade, MD/CEO of Heirs Life Assurance, commended the participants for their thoughtfulness, creativity and resilience. According to him, the initiative was designed to shift common perceptions about life after work and inspire Nigerians to embrace retirement as an opportunity for growth.
“Retirement is not an end; it is a well-earned season of rest, fulfilment, and new beginnings,” he said. “The Heirs Insurance Retirement Dream Competition was created to encourage our senior citizens to pursue the life they truly desire. We remain committed to providing simple, accessible insurance solutions that help every Nigerian secure a future built on peace of mind and the rewards of years of hard work.”
The competition forms part of the broader activities of the newly launched Heirs Insurance Retirees Club, a community-focused platform designed to support retirees nationwide. The club provides expert guidance on financial planning, health, wellness, and lifestyle choices, offering members a space to connect, learn, and thrive during retirement. Through this platform, the Group reinforces its growing focus on financial inclusion and long-term security for Nigerians at every stage of life.
Heirs Insurance Group, comprising Heirs General Insurance Limited, Heirs Life Assurance Limited, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, is the insurance arm of Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company with a presence in 24 countries across four continents. With an expansive retail footprint and a strong digital distribution network, the Group continues to deepen its reach among both corporate and individual customers across Nigeria.
Beyond product innovation, the Group has in recent months intensified its consumer-engagement efforts through a series of community-oriented initiatives aimed at improving financial literacy and advancing the insurance conversation across Africa.
These include: The Heirs Insurance Travel Festival, an event celebrating cultural diversity while spotlighting mobility challenges faced by African travellers in the global landscape; the Heirs Insurance Essay Championship, a national competition promoting financial literacy and academic excellence among secondary school students; and the Heirs Insurance Creators Fellowship, launched in September, which leverages the power of relatable storytelling to deepen insurance education across the continent. Through the fellowship, young creators are reshaping public perceptions of insurance and inspiring new ways of thinking about financial protection.
Through these initiatives, Heirs Insurance Group is positioning itself at the forefront of insurance awareness and digital transformation in Nigeria, reinforcing its mission to democratise access to insurance and expand financial inclusion for millions of Africans.
