Consolidated Hallmark Invests N40m In Education, Unveils 13th Annual Essay Competition

In line with its commitment to education, industry development and thought leadership, Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc has launched the 13th edition of its Annual Essay Competition, an initiative that has grown into one of Nigeria’s respected academic platforms for advancing insurance education.
Since its launch in 2011, the financial services Group has invested over N40 million in the educational sector through the competition, rewarding outstanding essays from tertiary institution students and staff members across the group. Beyond the cash prizes, the initiative has helped stimulate intellectual engagement, encourage critical thinking and deepen awareness of the role of insurance in economic development.
The 2026 edition introduces two categories designed 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’. The topic encourages staff to reflect on the organisation’s culture and values, and how these translate into daily actions, professional conduct and customer experience.
The External Category, open to tertiary institutions offering insurance-related programmes across Nigeria, focuses on the topic ‘Economic Hardship: Effect on Disposable Income and Demand for Insurance’. Students are expected to examine how economic pressures influence household spending and insurance uptake, while proposing practical ideas that could strengthen financial protection for Nigerians.
Speaking at the pre-award press conference, the Group chief executive officer of Consolidated Hallmark Holdings, Eddie Efekoha, said the competition is designed to inspire ideas that can shape the future of the insurance industry.
“Economic hardship is not merely a statistic; it is 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.
Efekoha added that the competition goes beyond academic recognition, describing it as ‘seed capital for ideas’ capable of influencing industry thinking and innovation.
Also speaking, the managing director of Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Limited, Mary Adeyanju, emphasised that the initiative reflects the group’s long-term strategy of 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,” she added.
To recognize excellence, national winners will receive awards: N1 million for the first position; N750,000 for the first runner-up; and N500,000 for the second runner-up. The winners will be announced at an award ceremony scheduled for April 13, 2026, which will gather finalists, parents, academic representatives, industry leaders, and media representatives.
The competition is open to students in their 300 Level and HND1 studying Insurance or Actuarial Science. Essays should be original, typed with double line spacing, and referenced using APA style. Entries must be submitted through the Heads of Departments of Insurance, who will forward the top three essays from their institutions to the organizers. The application deadline is April 11, 2026.