AXA Mansard Plc has introduced Karis, a WhatsApp-based digital platform, designed to simplify access to health insurance services and improve the experience of enrollees at healthcare facilities.
The Head of Marketing at AXA Mansard, Mr Olusesan Ogunyooye, said the platform was developed to address common challenges faced by health insurance subscribers.
He disclosed this, while speaking at the inauguration of the new executives of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) in Lagos on Thursday.
Ogunyooye said some of the challenges include delays in retrieving enrolment details and accessing information on their healthcare benefits.
He explained that Karis enabled customers to retrieve their enrolment numbers, verify their health insurance benefits and identify accredited healthcare providers through WhatsApp using their registered phone numbers.
According to him, many enrollees arrive at hospitals without their enrolment numbers or are unsure whether certain medical services are covered under their health plans, often resulting in delays before treatment.
“The chatbot eliminates such challenges by providing instant access to policy information without requiring customers to contact customer service.
“The platform allows customers to check what they are covered for.
‘’It also allows customers retrieve their enrolment details and locate specialists such as dermatologists, dentists and Ear, Nose and Throat clinics closest to them,” he said.
Ogunyooye noted that the digital solution would help bridge the information gap between health insurers and policyholders, while enhancing service delivery through technology.
He said the innovation was part of AXA Mansard’s commitment to ensuring that customers spent less time on administrative processes and more time receiving medical attention.
“Our objective is to make access to health insurance services seamless, so that customers can focus on what truly matters, which is their health,” he said.
Ogunyooye also urged the media to continue promoting public understanding of health insurance by interpreting industry developments in simple language.
He noted that increased awareness would boost confidence in health insurance and encourage wider adoption across the country.
He commended insurance journalists for promoting the industry, noting that their work aligned with AXA Mansard’s mission of protecting what mattered and advancing human progress.
According to him, there is still a significant communication gap between insurance companies and the public.
He emphasised that the media had a crucial role in simplifying insurance concepts and making them more relatable.
Ogunyooye also encouraged insurance journalists to establish themselves as thought leaders across traditional and digital media platforms to improve public trust and engagement with the industry.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Olusegun Omosehin, called for stronger collaboration between NAICOM and NAIPE to deepen insurance reforms and improve public awareness of the sector.
Omosehin, represented by the Deputy Director and Head of the Lagos Control Office of NAICOM, Dr Julius Odidi, described NAIPE as a critical bridge between regulators, operators and the public.
He noted that the association had consistently demonstrated professionalism, integrity and excellence in reporting the insurance and pension sectors.
According to him, effective communication is essential to the success of ongoing reforms, to strengthen regulation, expand insurance penetration and enhance consumer protection.
“In an era where information shapes perception and perception drives participation, your role cannot be overemphasised.
“The insurance and pension industry thrives on trust, and trust is built on knowledge,” he said.
The commissioner urged the newly inaugurated executives to build on the achievements of their predecessors by strengthening engagement with industry stakeholders and promoting greater public understanding of insurance and pension.
He encouraged the leadership to uphold professionalism, integrity and innovation in discharging its responsibilities.
Also, the Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association, Mrs Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with NAIPE to promote insurance awareness and deepen public confidence in the industry.
Nwachukwu was represented by Director-General of the association, Mrs Bola Odukale.
She expressed optimism that the new NAIPE leadership would build on the achievements of previous executives by fostering stronger engagement with stakeholders and advancing insurance education.
According to her, the association’s commitment to factual, balanced and responsible journalism has contributed significantly to the transformation of Nigeria’s insurance industry.
Meanwhile, the immediate past Chairperson of NAIPE, Mrs Nkechi Naeche-Esezobor, urged members and stakeholders to support the newly inaugurated executive committee to consolidate the association’s achievements.
Reflecting on her four-year tenure, Naeche-Esezobor said the association recorded significant milestones, including introducing new initiatives to improve members’ welfare.
She said the outgoing executive established life and health insurance schemes for members and introduced welfare initiatives aimed at enhancing their wellbeing, including retirement support.
She expressed optimism that the incoming executive would build on those achievements and strengthen the relationship between NAPEH and stakeholders in the insurance industry.
In her acceptance speech, the new NAIPE Chairperson, Mrs Ebere Nwoji, pledged to promote public awareness of the insurance and pension sectors through accurate and impactful reporting.
Nwoji said her administration would focus on fostering unity among members, while ensuring effective coverage of the insurance and pension industries.
She urged insurance and pension operators to complement the media’s efforts by building public trust through transparency, prompt service delivery and the fulfilment of contractual obligations.
She said confidence in the insurance industry would grow only when insurers consistently uphold the principle of utmost good faith and settle genuine claims promptly.
The new chairperson urged pension operators to continue to strengthen contributors’ confidence through prudent management of retirement savings and timely payment of benefits. (NAN)
A.I
July 31, 2026
Tags: AXA Mansard Dr Julius Odidi Mr Olusegun Omosehin Mr Olusesan Ogunyooye Mrs Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu Mrs Ebere Nwoji Mrs Nkechi Naeche-Esezobor NAICOM NAIPE
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