CHH records N40m educational investment milestone

Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc has announced that its total investment in education has crossed the N40m mark. This milestone coincides with the official launch of the 13th edition of its prestigious Annual Essay Competition, an initiative that has grown into one of the nation’s most respected academic platforms for advancing insurance education.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Head, Brand and Communications, Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc, Ajibola Liyide, on Monday.

Speaking at a pre-award press conference, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc, Eddie Efekoha, highlighted that the competition is designed to inspire ideas that can shape the future of the insurance industry. He noted that the 2026 edition is particularly timely given the current economic climate.

“Economic hardship is not merely a statistic; it is a lived reality in homes across Nigeria. Yet within constraint lies creativity. We are challenging our brightest insurance and actuarial science students to move beyond describing the problem and provide bold, evidence-based thinking that charts realistic pathways toward wider insurance adoption and stronger household security,” Efekoha stated.

He further described the initiative as “seed capital for ideas” capable of influencing industry thinking and innovation far beyond mere academic recognition.

Since its inception in 2011, the financial services group has consistently funded the programme to reward outstanding research from tertiary students and staff members, aiming to stimulate intellectual engagement and deepen public awareness regarding the role of insurance in economic development.

The 2026 edition introduces two distinct categories to promote both internal reflection and broader industry dialogue. The Internal Category, open to employees across the group, is themed “Re-enacting CHH Corporate Culture and Brand Identity: Why It Really Matters”, encouraging staff to reflect on how organisational values translate into daily professional conduct and customer experience.

Simultaneously, the External Category focuses on the pressing topic of “Economic Hardship: Effect on Disposable Income and Demand for Insurance”. This category invites students from tertiary institutions offering insurance-related programmes to examine how economic pressures influence household spending and to propose practical solutions for strengthening financial protection for Nigerians.

The Managing Director of Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Limited, Mary Adeyanju, emphasised that this strategy is vital for nurturing talent and strengthening the intellectual foundation of the insurance sector.

“Sustainable growth in insurance requires ideas, research and professionals who understand the realities of our market. Through this competition, we are bridging the gap between the classroom and the industry while encouraging solutions that strengthen trust and accessibility in insurance,” Adeyanju remarked.

To reward this excellence, the group has set substantial cash prizes for the national winners, with the first-place winner receiving N1,000,000, while the first and second runners-up will receive N750,000 and N500,000, respectively.

In a special highlight, the event will also honour winners from the previous edition whose recognition was postponed, making the 2026 event a double celebration of academic and professional excellence.

CHH Plc is a leading player in Nigeria’s financial services sector. Originally founded as an insurance firm in 1991, it underwent a major structural transformation in 2023, transitioning into a Non-Operating Holding Company.

As of the 2025 financial year, the Group reported a significant expansion, with total assets surging 33 per cent to N79bn, up from N57bn in 2024.