Emmanuel OchayiNigeria’s Pension Industry Hits Record High in 2024
In May 2024, Nigeria’s pension industry continued its upward trend, achieving a record high of N20.23 trillion.
This remarkable growth represents an impressive increase of N4.12 trillion over the past year. According to data from the National Pension Commission (PenCom), the industry’s assets surged by 25.6% from N16.11 trillion in May 2023.
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The pension assets grew by 2.23% compared to the previous month, rising from N19.79 trillion in April 2024.
Prime Business Africa reports that the consistent increase in the industry’s assets under management is largely due to the growing adoption and acceptance of pension schemes by Nigerians and the attractive yields on investments.
Factors Driving the Growth
John Chukwu, a financial; analyst, highlighted several factors contributing to this growth. “The increase in pension assets is a positive sign of confidence in the system,” said Chukwu.
“More Nigerians are embracing the idea of securing their future through pension schemes, and the high returns on investments are certainly encouraging.”
Breakdown of Pension Assets
The RSA II, a balanced and default fund for Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders aged 49 and below, accounted for the majority of the asset value. RSA Fund II represented 41.7% of the assets, followed by Fund III with 26.4%.
Investments in equities saw a significant increase, growing by N771.7 billion to reach N1.89 trillion, which is 9.4% of the total pension assets. Corporate debt securities also rose by N466.26 billion, totalling N2.19 trillion by the end of May 2024.
Focus on FGN Securities
A notable portion of the growth is attributed to investments in Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) securities. Over the past year, 57.1% of the total gains, amounting to N2.07 trillion, were directed toward federal government securities, particularly Treasury Bills.
This allocation is driven by regulatory guidelines and the high yields of fixed-income instruments.
“FGN securities have become a cornerstone of our investment strategy,” said Ahmed Musa, a portfolio manager at a leading pension fund. “The regulatory emphasis on safety and reasonable returns makes these securities very attractive.”
Impact of CBN’s Monetary Policy
The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) monetary policy decisions have also played a significant role in the attractiveness of FGN securities. In 2024, the CBN raised the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by approximately 750 basis points to combat inflation and stabilise the economy.
This hike led to higher yields in the fixed-income market, making government securities more appealing to pension fund administrators.
Future Outlook
The increased yield on FGN securities according to Prime Business Africa, provides pension funds with a reliable and profitable investment avenue. This aligns with PenCom’s guidelines to ensure the safety and profitability of pension assets.
“Our goal is to safeguard the future of our pensioners while maximising returns,” emphasised Musa. “Investing in FGN securities achieves both.”
As Nigeria’s pension industry continues to grow, the focus on secure and high-yielding investments will likely remain a key strategy. The industry’s impressive growth in 2024 underscores the importance of robust regulatory frameworks and sound investment decisions in securing the financial futures of millions of Nigerians.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
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