Nu NIyi Jacobs
A Nigerian family is facing financial and emotional stress after NEM Insurance Plc allegedly failed to honor a valid travel insurance claim, sparking outrage on social media and raising questions about accountability in Nigeria’s insurance sector.
The case involves a mother who traveled to the United Kingdom in September under a travel insurance policy purchased from NEM. Shortly after arriving, she fell ill and received treatment at the NHS, resulting in a bill of £2,551. Despite the policy covering such medical emergencies, the insurer has reportedly refused to settle the claim, leaving the family to deal directly with repeated NHS requests for payment.
The family reportedly reached out multiple times to senior NEM officials, including Wunmi Olatunbosun, Daniel Okuchemiya, Julius Elusakin, Wasiu Osunbiyi, and even the company’s chairman, Tope Smart, but received no response. The lack of communication has forced them to take their complaints public, highlighting frustrations many Nigerians have with insurers who fail to honor legitimate claims.
Industry experts say incidents like this erode trust in Nigeria’s insurance sector and underscore the need for stricter enforcement, transparency, and consumer protection mechanisms. Observers argue that professional insurers should communicate promptly with both clients and service providers to prevent unnecessary financial hardship and reputational damage
