Meet Temitope Afolabi – Winner Of Our 1st Anniversary Quiz Spotlight
To wrap up our 1st Anniversary celebration, we had a chat with Temitope Afolabi, a dynamic young professional working in the insurance industry. A Business Administration graduate from the prestigious Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), she also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Data Analysis and is currently pursuing a first-level certification in Compliance.
She works as a Compliance Officer at Tangerine General Insurance Company a subsidiary of Tangerine Africa. Despite working in the industry, she has never personally purchased insurance. Why? Let’s find out!
Q: Tell us about yourself: your education, career journey, and current role.
Temitope: Thank you! I hold a BSc in Business Administration from Pan-Atlantic University and later pursued a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Data Analysis. Currently, I work at Tangerine General Insurance Company as a Compliance Officer, where my role involves ensuring that all processes and transactions meet regulatory standards.
An interesting part of my job is that, in addition to compliance, every employee is expected to meet sales targets, so I’ve had to learn about prospecting clients, placing businesses, and supporting the claims process. This has given me broad exposure to the industry, beyond just compliance. I’m also currently working on my first-level certification in Compliance to deepen my knowledge in this field.
Q: Your company plays a key role in the insurance industry. Can you tell us about its services and impact?
Temitope: Sure! Tangerine Africa is a trusted insurance provider offering a range of products for both individuals and businesses. We cover areas such as health, life, pensions, motor, property, and specialized business risks.
What stands out for me is the company’s focus on service delivery, especially when it comes to claims processing. Many people think insurance companies don’t pay claims, but I’ve seen firsthand how we settle valid claims and help businesses and individuals recover from unexpected losses.
Q: Can you tell us a little about how your company supports its employees?
Temitope: Tangerine is such a unique place to work. It’s fast-paced, forward-thinking, and filled with some of the most passionate people I’ve met. The culture here is collaborative, people are open, helpful, and intentional about doing great work.
What I love most is how easy it is to be yourself here. Whether you’re new or experienced, your voice matters. There’s this unspoken energy of excellence and innovation, and it reflects in the way we work, relate, and even celebrate wins either big or small. It’s not just a company, it’s a vibe (lol).
Q: You work in insurance but have never bought a policy. Why?
Temitope: Laughs. That’s true! My company provides health insurance and group life insurance as employee benefits, so I haven’t really felt the need to buy any personal policies. Also, I don’t own major assets like a car or a house yet, so insurance hasn’t been a priority for me.
Q: If you had to buy an insurance policy, which one would you consider first?
Temitope: Probably personal accident insurance or travel insurance. While my health insurance covers medical expenses, I’ve learned that a personal accident policy can provide extra financial support in case of injuries. Also, since I love traveling, I’d consider travel insurance to cover unexpected trip cancellations, sickness, or lost luggage.
Q: Do you think young professionals take insurance seriously?
Temitope: Honestly, not really. Most young people think insurance is for older adults or business owners. Many only get insurance through their employer like me! If my company didn’t provide health and life insurance, I probably wouldn’t have thought about it either.
Q: What’s one misconception about insurance that you’ve come across?
Temitope: That Insurance companies don’t pay claims. From what I’ve seen, most claims get settled, but the issues usually arise when people don’t fully understand their policy coverage. I can vouch for Tangerine General when it comes to claims payment, they are committed to settling valid claims efficiently and with speed.
Q: If you could change how insurance is marketed to young professionals, what would you do?
Temitope: I’d definitely make it feel more personal and way less technical. Right now, most insurance products still sound like they’re meant for older people, fire, theft, motor, accidents. But that’s not where most young people’s minds or money are. If insurers want to reach us, they need to look at where we actually spend a large chunk of our income such as tech gadgets, travel, side hustles, wellness and start designing products around those needs.
Insurance should feel like part of your lifestyle, not just something your parents talk about. For example, coverage for damaged phones, stolen laptops, missed flights, or even subscription-based income protection for freelancers should be considered and free of technical jargon.
And for marketing, insurance brands need to show up where young people already are: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube. I hardly see skits, lifestyle content, or influencers talk about insurance in a fun and relatable way. Why not turn these conversations into humor, real-life stories, or even collaborations with content creators we already follow? Insurance shouldn’t feel like a big, serious decision. It should feel like part of your routine, just like staying safe on a ride or renewing your Netflix subscription
Q: Any advice for young professionals when it comes to insurance?
Temitope: Don’t wait till you “have it all together” to start thinking about insurance. If you’ve started earning, even if it’s a side hustle, you should be thinking about how to protect your health, income, and goals. Life is unpredictable, and having insurance is one of the smartest moves you can make for peace of mind.
Also, ask questions! Talk to people, Google stuff, Follow pages like theinsuranceguarantor. Insurance isn’t just for when things go bad, it’s a smart way to secure your peace and stay in control. It’s about freedom. Period.
Beyond the Story
Temitope’s story highlights a common reality. Many young professionals rely on employer-provided insurance but don’t consider personal coverage. Her insights open up an important conversation about how insurers can better connect with younger generations.
💡 What do you think? Have you ever bought insurance personally? Why or why not? Let’s discuss in the comments!
