The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has directed all insurance companies operating in Nigeria to begin the automatic issuance of ECOWAS Brown Cards alongside every motor insurance policy, including third-party and comprehensive motor insurance covers.
The directive, contained in a circular dated July 28, 2026, with reference number NAICOM/TD/MCCB/MCP/INS/004, and signed by Olugbenga Jaiyesimi, deputy director, market conduct and complaints bureau, on behalf of the Commissioner for Insurance, was issued pursuant to Section 103 of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025, which provides the legal framework for Nigeria’s participation in the ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme.
Under the new directive, insurers are required to include a valid ECOWAS Brown Card with every motor insurance policy issued or renewed in Nigeria without requiring policyholders to submit separate applications or make additional payments.
“No insurer shall require any person to make a separate application or request for a separate payment for the issuance of the ECOWAS Brown Card,” the circular noted.
NAICOM said the requirement applies to all classes of motor insurance policies and forms part of efforts to ensure compliance with the provisions of NIIRA 2025 while improving access to cross-border motor insurance protection for Nigerian motorists.
The Commission directed insurers to update their underwriting processes, policy administration systems and digital insurance platforms to automatically generate ECOWAS Brown Cards whenever motor insurance policies are issued.
The regulator also mandated insurance companies to include the ECOWAS Brown Card number on every motor insurance policy and certificate, alongside a clear notification informing policyholders, agents, brokers and other intermediaries of their entitlement under the scheme.
In addition, insurers are required to include details of ECOWAS Brown Cards generated in their quarterly motor insurance portfolio returns submitted to the Commission.
NAICOM warned that failure by any insurance company to comply with the directive would constitute a breach of regulatory requirements and attract administrative sanctions.
The Commission stated that the directive takes immediate effect, directing all insurers to ensure full compliance with the new requirements.
The ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme provides motorists travelling across member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with third-party liability insurance coverage, allowing vehicles insured in one member country to receive recognition of their insurance protection in another member state.
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