Sunday Thomas, Acting Commissioner For Insurance

The Federal Government has approved the appointment of the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance (Technical), Mr. Sunday Thomas as the Acting Commissioner For Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

The appointment is coming after few days of speculation and suspense on who becomes the next presiding officer of the Commission after the exit of the erstwhile Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari on completion of his first term of office end of last month, July 2019.

Kari had handed over to Mr. Sunday Thomas, who is the most senior officer of the Commission prior to end of his first term pending a decision by the government on next line of appointment.

Subsequently, the Federal Government through the Commission’s supervisory ministry, the Federal Ministry of Finance, has confirmed Mr. Thomas as the Acting Commissioner For Insurance pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner for Insurance.

The appointment was conveyed through a letter from the Home Finance Department of the Federal Ministry of Finance with reference No.F .19482/BFPIAC/S.2/24 and signed by A.O. Bello, a Deputy Director, Home finance, on behalf Permanent Secretary, Finance.

The letter specifically stated that it was meant to “convey the approval of the Permanent Secretary for Mr. Sunday Thomas, Deputy Commissioner (Technical) to oversee the affairs of the Commission, pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner for Insurance by Mr. President.”

It further explained that “This is to ensure the effective administration of the Commission in line with the provisions of the National Insurance Commission Act 1997.”

Thomas was appointed Deputy Commissioner for Insurance Technical by President Muhammadu Buhari On April 15, 2017.

Prior to this appointment in April 2017 as Deputy Commissioner (Technical matters) Thomas had held the position of Director –General at the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) for seven years from May 2010.

The full text of the letter made available to Journalists reads:

Federal Ministry of Finance
Home Finance
Ref.No.F .19482/BFPIAC/S.2/24
August, 2019

Deputy Commissioner for Insurance (Technical) National Insurance Commission

Re: Handing over note: Appointment of Acting Commissioner For Insurance

I am directed to refer to a letter referenced NAICOM/FMF/DCTO/002 dated 2nd August, 2019 and convey the approval of the Permanent Secretary for Mr. Sunday Thomas, Deputy Commissioner (Technical) to oversee the affairs of the Commission, pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner for Insurance by Mr. President.

This is to ensure the effective administration of the Commission in line with the provisions of the National Insurance Commission Act 1997.

Please, accept the assurances of the
warm regards of the Permanent Secretary, Finance.

A.O. Bello
Deputy Director, Home finance
For: Permanent Secretary, Finance