Management Team - Royal Exchange Prudential Life

Managing Director/CEO

NELSON SEGUN AKERELE

Mr. Nelson Akerele has over 20 years practical experience in insurance underwriting, marketing and broking in Nigeria. Prior to joining Royal Exchange in 2006, he was the Group Head, Technical Operations of Standard Alliance Insurance and later Group Head Marketing. Mr. Akerele had previously worked with Glanvill Enthoven & Co. Insurance Brokers Limited and was the pioneer CEO of MBC Insurance Brokers Limited.

An astute insurance professional and trainer in risk management, leadership and strategy, Mr. Akerele also has an in-depth knowledge of General insurance practice and Life underwriting/marketing; Engineering, Special risk arrangements and Bonds. He studied Insurance at the Kano State Polytechnic, Kano and is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London (ACII), and Nigeria (ACIIN), Fellow, Institute of Direct Marketing Nigeria (FDMN) and an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School (LBS) and the prestigious IBM Marketing College Warbrook, London.

He was the Head, Marketing, before his elevation in December 2019 as the Executive Director (Operations) and currently the Ag. Managing Director/CEO, Royal Exchange Prudential Life Plc.

Head, Human Resources/Admin

ULISANMI BLESSING ARUEYINGHO

She is a graduate of Secretarial Administration (1992) from the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State. She holds MBA in Marketing (2008) from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. She is Associate of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.

‘Sanmi started her work career as Management Graduate Trainee with Royal Exchange Plc then, Royal Exchange Assurance Nigeria (1993). She has worked and moved through several departments and grade levels of the organization.

She has attended several seminars, workshops and conferences in leadership management, marketing, human resources etc.

She is currently Head, Human Resources/Administration, Royal Exchange Prudential Life Plc.

Head, Technical

OLUBUKUNOLA OLUBUNMI ONIBIYO

‘Bukunola is a seasoned Life Insurance Underwriter with over 2 decades of experience in the insurance industry. An associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN). She is a graduate of Insurance, and also holds a master degree in Finance from the University of Ibadan.

Bukunola started her insurance career in 2000 with Niger Insurance Plc, before joining ROYAL EXCHANGE PRUDENTIAL LIFE in May 2022 where she is the Ag Head Technical.

She is exposed to sound Underwriting practice and reassurance management programs. Extremely knowledgeable and acquires wide technical skills for accurate quotes and interpretations of policy for life insurance covers. She is an astute manager of resources with a leadership heart.

Head, Retail Marketing 1

UBOCHI CHUKWUKA ANDREW

Andy obtained a B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in Actuarial Science from The University of Lagos in 1994. In 1996, he picked up a teaching appointment as a mathematics teacher in Hopebay College, Lagos.

In May, 2001 having put in about 5 years as a Mathematics teacher, he resigned voluntarily to work as a sales executive with Kes Computers in Ilupeju, Lagos in June, 2001. He had the opportunity to join the Insurance industry in March, 2002 when he was offered an employment in the then Hallmark Assurance Plc as a Life Retail Underwriter. In 2003, having qualified as an associate of The Nigerian Institute of Marketing (NIMARK) Now National Institute Of Marketing Of Nigeria (CHARTERED), Andy was redeployed on request to marketing department and was assigned the responsibilities of marketing both individual life products and general businesses.

In 2006 having risen to the position of Deputy Manager, he joined the then Royal Exchange Assurance Nig. Plc as a MANAGER. His responsibility was to market the Banks for Insurance related bank transactions. Later that year in September, 2006, he obtained his Master Of business Administration (MBA) degree from University of Calabar. In 2009, he qualified as an associate of The Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (ACIIN). He was the Deputy Branch Manager of Alaba branch of Royal Exchange General Insurance Ltd before his redeployment as Head, Life Retail Marketing of Royal Exchange Prudential Life on 23^rd January, 2012 and was later redeployed to Head Aba Branch Office. He is currently the Head, Retail Business in Lagos

Head, Corporate sales

CHUKWUEMEKA IWUAGWU

Emeka Iwuagwu graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1995 with a 2nd class upper degree in Sociology and Anthropology.

He joined the services of Royal Exchange Plc in November 1998 as a Marketing Executive and since then he has worked in various divisions including underwriting, claims and branch operations. Until his redeployment in April 2009 to Royal Exchange Prudential Life Plc to drive Corporate Sales;

Emeka has very deep knowledge of the insurance market and has attended several certification courses including the prestigious Lagos Business School.

Head, Financial Institution

CHIDINMA AUDU

She is graduate of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.

She also holds insurance proficiency certificate (IPC) from the chartered institute of Insurance (CIIN)

Chidinma has over 14 years of experience in the insurance industry on Sales and managing corporate customers.

She started her career with Cornerstone insurance in 2008 as a trainee and later joined Royal Exchange Prudential life in 2012 where she rose to become a full manager and presently heads and co-ordinates the financial institution Corporate marketing teams of the Company.

She has attended several conferences, leadership, sales, and customer retention-related trainings, locally and internationally among which are 43rd Africa Insurance Organization (AIO) Conference (2016), Morocco. She is married with Children.

Head, Information Technology

MICHAEL OLUSEGUN OMOLA

He is a graduate of Applied-Geophysics (2003) from the Federal University of Technology, Akure Ondo State. NIIT Institute trained database administrator (Oracle 10g) in 2005. He is an Oracle Professional Associate.

Michael has over 16years practical experience, he started his working career as a fresh graduate with Wema bank plc (2007) as a database administrator and then moved to Ecobank in (2008) before joining Royal Exchange Plc (2020).

He has attended several seminars, workshop, training and conferences on information technology security and IT business development etc.

Head, Retail Marketing 2

Gbenga Bode

Gbenga Bode holds a Bachelor of Science (B.sc) from the University of Ilorin in the year 2004. He is a registered insurance practitioner of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN).

A well-grounded Industry veteran with specifics in Business Development, Relationship management, Sales and Marketing (Retail & Corporate) and has developed competences along these lines. He is a pioneer of several initiatives within the Insurance Industry which has made him to consult for several organizations and consistently developed road map for increased revenue. Gbenga has equally served on full-time basis at Senior Management level for some A-Rated insurance companies in Nigeria. He has over eighteen years’ experience in the Insurance industry.

His wealth of experience about sales has consistently provided different training platforms within and outside the Insurance Industry workshops both locally, and internationally where he shares his practical experiences with his audience.

He is a force to be reckoned with in terms of facilitating Sales, and Relationship management training.

Gbenga has extensively worked in the training space with many underwriting, and brokerage firms.

He was a Regional Sales Manager at Leadway Assurance Ltd, but he is presently the Head Retail Team 2 at Royal Exchange Prudential Life Limited where he oversees hundreds of sales team, and Managers across the nation.

He is a motivational speaker and has attended and facilitated several courses, seminars, and workshop both locally and internationally.

Head, Internal Audit and Investigation

DENIS JOSEPH JAMES

Denis Joseph James joined Royal Exchange Prudential Life Plc on November 13, 2023, as the Head of Internal Audit and Investigation. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and is an Associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria as well as a Graduate member of the Institute of Stockbrokers of Nigeria. His academic background and professional qualifications underscore his expertise in the fields of accounting and finance.

Before his current role, Mr. James accumulated extensive experience across various sectors. He served as the Accounting Manager at Villa Marina Limited (Hotel) in Eket, from 2020 to 2023, where he demonstrated his capability in managing financial operations. From 2017 to 2020, he was the Head of Internal Audit at Akwa Ibom Transport Corporation, overseeing audit processes and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. His earlier role as an Assistant Manager at Ubokudom Etuk & Co. (Chartered Accountants) in 2016-2017 further honed his auditing skills.

Mr. James’s career also includes significant banking experience. At Ecobank Nigeria, he held the positions of Cluster Head of Sales Hub, South East (2013-2016), Relationship Officer, Energy, and Branch Manager (2011-2012). Prior to that, he was the Resident Internal Controller & Inspection at Oceanic Bank from 2008 to 2011 and the Resident Control Officer at Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank) between 2006 to 2008. His early career includes roles such as Audit Supervisor at Otoyo Emmah & Co. (2004-2006) and various positions at FCMB Bank Plc (former Cooperative Bank) from 2000 to 2006, culminating as Operations Manager and Regional Officer.

Mr. Denis Joseph James brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of excellence in accounting, auditing, and financial management. His diverse background and demonstrated leadership in both corporate and financial institutions make him a valuable asset to Royal Exchange Prudential Life Plc, where he continues to contribute to the company’s success.

Chief Finance Officer (CFO)

PETER O. OKROSA

Peter Okrosa is a flexible individual with a diverse interest in many areas of life – accounting, finance, taxation, business development & strategic management, Insurance, customer service & marketing, systems development, academics (lecturing & writing), economics, history, agriculture (fishing & farming) and Sociology.

He is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). His academic qualifications include an M.Sc. degree in Business Information Technology with a Commendation Grade, from Northumbria University, England, and a bachelor in Accounting (Second Class Upper Division) from the University of Jos, Nigeria.

He is also an excellent communicator (orally and written) with the ability to communicate effectively and influence people at all levels. He lectured students preparing for the professional examinations of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

He studied and worked both in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom. He has more than twenty – five years of mixed experience working in audit, finance, tax, business consultancy, and business management in the professional service firms, Insurance, hospitality & tourism, public sector, communication & entertainment, and manufacturing industries, more than fifteen were spent in senior managerial roles.

He also possesses strong analytical and numeracy skills, good team leadership and team working skills combined with astute leadership qualities, sharp managerial acumen, and a friendly spirit.

As a result of his diverse interest, especially in writing, he has written two books:

“The Flames of Corruption” and “Excellent Customer Service in the Hospitality Industry” are his current published works. Others are still being worked on.

His academic researches include: “Why and How Manufacturing Companies Implement Information and Communication Technology Strategy: A Case Study of Some European Firms (Master Degree-2005)” and “The Impact of Rural Banking on Savings and Investment: The Case Study of Isoko Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria (First degree – 1992).”

Ag.Head, Enterprise Risk Management

KALU EKE UKWA

Kalu Eke Ukwa obtained B.SC Hons in Sociology in 1987 from University of Lagos and M.SC in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management in 1989 from the same University.

He started work with Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) in 1992 and was responsible for Posting, Transfer and Deployment.

In 1995, he became a Chartered member of Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM). He has also worked with TSA Industries ltd located in Ogba, Ikeja—a garment manufacturing company in Human Resources department from 1998 to 2003 when he left to work with Cudeks ltd—a car hire service with Shell petroleum.

In 2005, he worked with Rise and Prosper ltd, a logistic company whose office is at Jibowu in Lagos as a general manager. Also, in 2010, he joined Royal Exchange Plc, an insurance company based in Lagos as an Auditor in the Audit department.

He became a Chartered Accountant (ACA) in 2012 and was moved to Enterprise Risk Management department in 2013 and in 2021 he was moved to Account department of Royal Exchange Prudential Life. He has also obtain an L.L.B Hons degree in Law from Open University of NIGERIA (NOUN) 2024.

He is currently the Acting Head. Enterprise Risk Management