Continental Reinsurance Group has announced a series of executive appointments as part of its transition to a pan-African holding structure.
The changes include new roles at both group and Nigeria entity levels and align with the company’s corporate restructuring and governance priorities.
Lawrence Nazare (pictured above) has been named group managing director of Continental Reinsurance Holdings, headquartered in Botswana. Nazare previously served as managing director and CEO of Continental Reinsurance Plc, Nigeria, until December 2024.
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In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing operations across the continent and driving the group’s long-term strategic direction.
Joining Nazare on the board of Continental Reinsurance Holdings are two non-executive directors. Paul Kokoricha, who served as chairman of Continental Reinsurance Plc, will now chair the board at the group level. Steve Iwenjora, a former non-executive director of the Nigerian entity, has also been appointed to the group board.
Dr. Fatai Kayode Lawal has been appointed managing director and CEO of Continental Reinsurance Plc, Nigeria, effective as of April. The Nigeria office oversees operations for the Anglophone West Africa region.
Lawal’s background includes academic credentials in insurance, management, and organizational leadership, including a B.Sc. and MBA from the University of Lagos and a doctorate from the University of Phoenix.
He is a fellow of multiple professional institutions, including the Chartered Insurance Institute of London and Nigeria, as well as the Chartered Institute of Directors and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
Lawal’s recent roles include managing director and CEO of Sterling Assurance Nigeria Ltd. from 2007 to 2023, where he led the integration of three merging firms. He previously held executive positions at Universe Reinsurance Co. Ltd. and Refuge Insurance Company Ltd., and was part of the early leadership at Continental Reinsurance Co. Ltd.
Three non-executive directors have joined the board of Continental Reinsurance Plc, Nigeria, following regulatory approval from the National Insurance Commission.
Segun Adebanji has been named chairman and non-executive director. He is a finance executive and fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. His career spans leadership roles at UAC, Unilever, Nigerian Breweries, and Heineken, with assignments across multiple countries. He currently chairs Fidson Healthcare Plc and Filmhouse Group Ltd.
Funmilayo Omokhodion, a chartered insurer with 36 years of reinsurance experience, has also joined the board. Her previous positions include regional director for West Africa at Africa Re. She holds a BA in English and linguistics, an executive MBA in insurance, and serves on the council of the Africa Reinsurance Foundation.
Eno Atoyebi, CFA, is also appointed as a non-executive director. With more than 25 years in investment management, she is currently the managing director of ValuAlliance Asset Management and oversees two mutual funds. Her earlier career includes senior roles at Afrinvest and ExxonMobil.
The appointments follow the company's recent 40th anniversary celebration, which was marked by the 10th Continental Reinsurance CEO Summit held in Cape Town, South Africa, in April 2025.
Since its establishment in Nigeria in 1985, Continental Reinsurance has expanded its operational footprint across the continent. In addition to its headquarters in Botswana, the company maintains regional offices in Douala, Abidjan, Nairobi, Tunis, and Gaborone.
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