The Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria has said that the players in the sector would be looking to increase their participation in infrastructure financing in the country.
This was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer of PenOP, Oguche Agudah, in a chat with The PUNCH on Wednesday.
PFAs have reportedly invested N103.86bn in infrastructure bonds in the first half of 2024, marking a 14 per cent increase from the previous year. A high-yield environment was the main attraction for these players.
Speaking on the outlook of the pension sector, Agudah said, “Additionally, pension funds are set to play a more prominent role in financing infrastructure projects, particularly through vehicles like the Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund, which will help address the country’s infrastructure deficit while targeting stable, long-term returns.”
He added that the outlook for the Nigerian pension industry remains positive, with continued growth driven by regulatory advancements and expanding investment opportunities.
“The ongoing review of investment guidelines and the Pension Reform Act is expected to increase allocations to alternative investments, such as infrastructure, private equity, and venture capital. This shift aligns with global trends and supports the diversification of pension fund portfolios, helping to ensure higher returns and contributing to broader economic development. Moreover, expanding the involvement of the informal sector in pension contributions is expected to further boost the industry’s asset base and broaden its reach.
“With its growing asset base, strategic diversification, and a favourable regulatory environment, the Nigerian pension industry is positioned for sustained growth. However, to fully realise this potential, maintaining stability in monetary and fiscal policies, alongside managing inflationary pressures, will be crucial to ensuring the long-term financial security of retirees.”
Meanwhile, the PenOP boss pointed out that salary adjustment and a robust investment drive inspired the 19.44 per cent growth in the total assets under management in the Nigerian pension industry.
Data from the National Pension Commission revealed that the value of pension assets stood at N21.92tn as of October 2024. Compared year-on-year, the pension assets had risen by 24.14 per cent or 4.26tn from N17.66tn at the end of the same period in 2023.
On a month-on-month basis, the pension assets grew by N541bn to N21.92tn from N21.38tn in September.
Speaking on the performance of the sector, Oguche said the Nigerian pension industry had achieved remarkable growth, with total assets under management increasing by 19.44 per cent, from N18.36tn in December 2023 to N21.93tn as of October 2024.
“This growth is primarily attributed to two key factors: higher contributions and robust investment performance. Salary adjustments by firms, driven by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, have resulted in increased pension contributions. At the same time, the high-yield environment has bolstered investment returns across various asset classes,” he said.
This year, the federal government signed into law a new minimum wage, and several state governments have also announced a higher minimum wage, which will impact pension contributions. Similarly, some players in the private sector have increased staff salaries to cushion the rising cost of living.
The investment mix of the assets under management remained relatively unchanged, with the majority of pension assets concentrated in government securities.
However, Agudah noted that PFAs have diversified their portfolios this year, saying, “While Federal Government of Nigeria securities remain the dominant asset class, growing by 19.87 per cent this year, pension funds have increasingly diversified their portfolios. Investments in equities have surged by 35.03 per cent reflecting a strong performance in the stock market and the potential for higher returns. Similarly, private equity investments recorded a remarkable growth of 71.75 per cent, highlighting the industry’s focus on high-growth opportunities within private markets. This diversification strategy underscores the intent of pension fund managers to maximise long-term returns while managing risks.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria’s aggressive interest rate hikes have further enhanced the attractiveness of fixed-income instruments. Government securities, in particular, have become highly appealing in this environment, providing stable and competitive yields that contribute to the growth of pension portfolios.”
