The President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, DGN, Uche Agbo, is calling on insurance companies to stop using a one-size-fits-all approach and design policies that fit the realities of Nigeria’s entertainment sector.
Agbo made the call at a stakeholders’ engagement organized by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, led by Ayomide Adeagbo, in partnership with Insurtainment, founded by Temitayo Akpan.
The forum brought together policymakers, insurance executives, and creative industry leaders to explore practical insurance solutions for the sector.
Speaking on the panel, Agbo described the meeting as a timely move to secure the future of Nigeria’s creative economy. He noted that most conventional insurance products don’t sufficiently address the realities of the creative industry, where professionals often operate on project-based engagements with irregular income streams and unique production risks.
“Filmmakers and other creatives need more than standard cover,” Agbo said. “We need comprehensive production insurance, as well as health and life insurance packages built for people in this industry.”
The DGN President identified several areas requiring coverage, including errors and omissions, on-set accidents, equipment loss or damage, production delays arising from the illness or absence of key cast or crew, and interruptions caused by fire outbreaks, flooding, civil unrest, protests, and other unforeseen events.
He argued that producers shouldn’t carry the full financial burden when things go wrong that are beyond their control.
Agbo also urged insurers to speed up claims processing, saying prompt payouts will build trust and encourage more professionals to buy into insurance. He commended the organizers for convening the dialogue, and welcomed the presence of the Chairman of the House Committee on Insurance, who pledged legislative support for any policy recommendations that come out of the engagement.
The DGN President expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between government, insurers, and industry players will lead to a framework that protects creative professionals and boosts investor confidence in the sector.
With Nollywood and Nigeria’s broader creative economy growing fast, Agbo says the right insurance structure is no longer optional, it’s essential.
