Fortis Global Insurance Appoints Umar, Ibru to Board

Fortis Global Insurance Plc has strengthened its board with the appointment of Dr Umar Faruk Umar as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Ufuoma Ibru as a Non-Executive Director.

The appointments have received approval from the National Insurance Commission, the company disclosed in a regulatory notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public dated August 13, 2026.

Umar joins the insurer with more than four decades of professional experience spanning education, public service and corporate leadership, including over 30 years of involvement in board governance.

He holds a doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin in the United States and has participated in executive and corporate governance programmes at Harvard University, Stanford University and INSEAD.

His corporate experience includes previous board positions at Ashaka Cement Plc, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc.

Across those organisations, Umar gained experience overseeing areas including audit, finance, risk management and corporate governance through his participation in various board committees.

He currently sits on the boards of GTL Registrars Limited and the Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund.

Ibru, meanwhile, brings legal, investment and corporate experience to Fortis Global Insurance.

A legal practitioner, he has served as a director of companies operating across hospitality, tourism and financial services, including Ikeja Hotel Plc, The Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc and Icon Stockbrokers Limited.

Ibru studied law at the University of Oxford and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2003. He also holds a degree in Mechatronic Engineering from the University of London.

His professional background covers corporate governance, regulatory matters, investment transactions, strategic management and stakeholder relations.

Fortis Global Insurance expects the appointments to broaden the expertise available to its board as the insurer pursues its growth and expansion objectives.

The company’s board is chaired by Akin Iroko, while Nomwen Emeghalu serves as Managing Director and Olutayo Amore as Executive Director, Technical.

Other Non-Executive Directors include Rohan Fernando, Musa Lawan, Abiodun Sanusi and Nelson Ahaneku.