On April 2, 2026, the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, will host a landmark convergence of Nigeria’s financial regulators and the “gig economy” workforce. The 2026 BusinessToday Annual Conference and Exhibition aims to dismantle the barriers preventing young Nigerians—from tech developers to content creators—from accessing the formal insurance and pension ecosystems.
1. A Regulatory Mandate: Recapitalization and Inclusion
The conference arrives at a critical juncture as the insurance industry faces a July 2026 recapitalization deadline.
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Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin (NAICOM): The Commissioner for Insurance will lead discussions on “Insurance Reforms Made Simple,” focusing on how leaner, better-capitalized firms can create micro-insurance products for youth.
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Mrs. Omolola Oloworaran (PenCom): The Director-General of PenCom will champion the “Start Young, Retire Strong” initiative, highlighting the Micro Pension Plan (MPP) as the ultimate tool for financial security in the informal sector.
2. Adapting to the Gig Economy
Convener Mrs. Nkechi Naeche-Esezobor noted that the traditional models of “monthly premiums” and “30-year employment” do not fit the 2026 reality of digital work and entrepreneurship. The conference will advocate for:
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Flexible Premiums: Insurance products that can be paid for per project or per day.
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Technology-Enabled Solutions: Mobile-first registration and automated claims processing.
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The “PPP” Advantage: Exploring Public-Private Partnerships to make pension contributions more attractive to young investors.
3. A Cross-Sector Dialogue
The event is uniquely designed as a “Youth Dialogue,” bringing together over 500 participants from diverse backgrounds:
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Industry Titans: Leaders from the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), PenOp, CIIN, and NCRIB.
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The Digital Cohort: Content creators, tech innovators, and entertainment professionals who currently lack formal protection.
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Academia: Students from the University of Lagos and Yaba College of Technology, representing the future human capital of these sectors.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 BusinessToday Conference is more than a talk shop; it is a design lab for the future. By placing the “Youth Advantage” at the center of the agenda, the insurance and pension industries are attempting to close the multi-trillion naira protection gap and ensure that Nigeria’s most productive demographic is not left vulnerable in old age or crisis.
