About Us / PILA in the Sands of Time
The Association which was initially known as Association of Professional Women in Insurance Industry was founded in 1973. The first meeting was held on 29th may 1973 at Sentnel Insurance Co.Ltd. with Late Mrs. C.M. Okpaise as the founding President.
The first Annual General Meeting was held on 4th [June] 1975 with the re-election of Late Erelu Olayiwola Aina as the President.
The 2nd AGM was held on 2nd June 1976.
The name of the Association was changed on 15th April 1978 to the Nigerian Association of Women Insurers. The 3rd AGM was held on 13th June 1978 with the name of the Association again changed to what it is today—Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA).
The founding President—Late (Mrs.) C.M. Okpaise was made a life patron of the Association at its meeting held on 10th November 1981.
t its meeting held on 26th March 1987 some form of consistency was introduced into the meeting as follows: Meeting would be held every 2nd Thursday of the month; Maximum time for the meeting would be one and half hours; Meeting time was lunch break starting at 1 p.m.. The first Constitution Draft Committee was set up at the meeting of 9th April 1987 and headed by Late (Mrs.) C.A. Rowaiye. The 4th AGM was held on 9th April 1987.
The First Written Constitution
The 5th AGM was held on 13th April 1989.
PILA Bank Account was opened in October 1999. The 6th AGM was held on 25th November 1999 with the resuscitation of the Association. Leading roles for its revival was played by Sir. Ogala Osoka and Mrs. Seyi Ifaturoti who was unanimously appointed to be the President.
The 7th AGM was held 30th March 2000. The 2nd PILA Constitution was produced in 2000.
The 8th AGM was held on 29th March 2002 with Lady Isioma Chukwuma elected as the President.
The 9th AGM was held on 25th March 2004 with Mrs. Yomi Onabanjo elected as President.
3rd PILA Constitution Review Committee was set up at the meeting held on 28th April 2005 and headed by Mrs. Tonia Smart. Constitution Review draft and presented to the meeting on 24th November 2005. Purchase of the PILA Land for its Secretariat in December 2005 located at 58, Iwaya Road, Yaba, Lagos.
The current printed edition of the PILA Constitution was presented to members at the meeting of 23rd February 2006. The printing was sponsored by the chairperson of the Committee, Mrs. Tonia Smart.
The 11th AGM was held on 29th March 2007 with Mrs. Folashade Onanuga re-elected as President.
The 12th AGM was held on 27th March 2008 with Mrs. Tonia Smart elected as President. The members of the PILA Board of Trustee were approved at the meeting of 28th may 2008.
The seal of the Association was presented to the meeting on 25th of June 2009. The 13th AGM was held on 26th March 2009 with Mrs. Tonia Smart re-elected as president.
The 14th AGM was held on 25th March 2010 with Mrs. Funmi Folarin. The PILA Anthem was sang for the first time at Mrs. Funmi Folarin's Investiture on 16th July 2010.
The 15th AGM was held on 31st March 2011 with Mrs. Funmi Folarin re-elected as President. The PILA Secretariat Building Fund was launched on 11th November 2011 during Mrs Funmi Folarin's tenure.
The PILA Foundation Laying Ceremony was held on 8th November 2012 at the Secretariat, Iwaya, Yaba, Lagos. The Maiden Edition of PILA Newsletter (PILANEWS) was published and launched on November 16th 2012. PILA Ambassadors were inaugurated in 2012 during Mrs Olufemi Ogun's tenure.
PILA organized the first International Seminar for Professional Women in Insurance in The Gambia on 15th -19th May 2013. The PILA House was raised to Lintel Level during Mrs Olufemi Ogun's tenure.
The 18th AGM was held on 20th March 2014 with Mrs. Yetunde Adenuga - Alatise.
PILA Celebrated the Elders in the Association by organizing Elders/Bonding party on 6th April 2015. PILA Building was elevated to roofing level during Mrs. Yetunde Adenuga-Alatise's tenure. PILA organized 2015 International Education Seminar—Theme: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE- Women in Leadership in Ghana between 13th-15th November 2015.
The 20th AGM was held 21st April, 2016 with Mrs. Jocelyn Ogbuokiri elected as President.
International Seminar for Women in Insurance, South Africa held from April 25th - 27th, 2017. Novelty Match and Family Day was revamped during her tenure.
Mentoring of Secondary School Student was inaugurated on the 6th of February, 2018. PAN- African Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PAN-PILA) Committee Inaugurated. PILA Auditing Account started and was introduced to members at the 2018 AGM.
PILA international seminar and exchange program in Kenya held 1st - 5th May, 2019. PILA TUTORIAL CENTRE ABUJA project was launched in Abuja in July 2019.
Installed NEW Gate, construct the POP Ceiling, Electrical Installations and fixed the Aluminum Doors and Windows of the PILA Secretariat Building. The 23rd AGM was held online on 28th of May, 2020 with Mrs. Joyce Ojemudia elected as the 13th President.
With pomp and pageantry by the 13th president FL Joyce Ojemudia, and the then Commisioner For Insurance Mr Sunday Thomas, PILA House was launched and declared open
The 50th Anniversary was hosted by the 14th president of PILA by FL. Lolo Lady Margaret Moore, with the keynote speaker being Dr. Mrs Ibukun Awosika, First Female Chairman of First Bank Nigeria
PILA CILAG International Exchange Educational Conference held April 14th - 18th 2026, held in Accra Ghana under the leadership of the 15th President FL Bimbo Onakomaiya. PILA educational Remi Olowude(OON)Library was commissioned in May 2026