Three Nigerians are stepping into retirement with renewed hope after winning the maiden edition of the Heirs Insurance Group Retirement Dream Competition—a nationwide initiative backing the ambitions of senior citizens.
51-year-old Kayode Kolade, a former public servant from Rivers State, clinched the overall prize of N2.5 million, while 64-year-old Rakiya Idris and 60-year-old Sodeke Olusola walked away with N1.5 million and N1 million, respectively. All three are now set to jump-start the dreams they’ve long saved for.
Launched in August 2025 with a N5 million prize pool, the competition invited Nigerians aged 50 to 75 to submit one-minute videos describing their ideal retirement and how the grant could help bring it to life. The call sparked an overwhelming response—hundreds of entries poured in from both urban centres and remote rural communities, revealing just how deeply Nigerians connect with retirement planning.
Niyi Onifade, MD/CEO of Heirs Life Assurance, praised participants for their creativity and determination.
“Retirement is not an end; it is a well-earned season of fulfilment and new beginnings,” he said. “This competition was created to inspire long-held dreams and support senior citizens to live the retirement they truly desire.”
The initiative forms part of the newly launched Heirs Insurance Retirees Club, a nationwide community platform offering retirees expert guidance on finance, health, well-being, and lifestyle support. It reinforces the company’s commitment to financial inclusion and lifelong security for Nigerians.
Heirs Insurance Group—comprising Heirs General Insurance, Heirs Life Assurance, and Heirs Insurance Brokers—is the insurance arm of Heirs Holdings, the pan-African investment powerhouse with operations in 24 countries. With a rapidly growing retail presence and strong digital channels, the group continues to push for wider access to insurance and deepen its footprint across Nigeria.
