The National Pension Commission (PenCom) says it will step up collaboration with capital market participants to better channel the pension industry’s vast pool of long‑term, passive savings into the market. Director‑General Omolola Oloworaran announced the move at a Pension Industry Leadership Council (PILC) briefing.
Oloworaran, who chaired the press session, said the pension sector likely represents Nigeria’s largest reservoir of long‑term savings and that PenCom plans more active engagement this year to increase pension funds’ market footprint. She reiterated the regulator’s commitment to securing steady returns for Retirement Savings Account (RSA) contributors.
On enforcement, the DG noted PenCom recovered more than N3 billion in unpaid employer contributions with support from the ICPC and said the Commission will partner with the EFCC to tighten employer compliance. She added that the Pension Industry Infrastructure Fund (PIIF) is nearing implementation and that PenCom is building stronger links with state governments and organized labour to improve enforcement, accountability, and protection of workers’ retirement assets.
PenCom’s figures show the industry’s assets climbed to a record N31.32 trillion in May 2026, while Pension Fund Administrators boosted equity allocations to N5.46 trillion in domestic ordinary shares by March 2026 from N3.96 trillion at end‑2025, a 38.1% year‑to‑date increase. The shift toward equities reflects improved market sentiment, stronger performance, and PFAs’ efforts to diversify beyond fixed income.
Higher interest rates have also lifted returns on government securities and money‑market instruments, supporting asset growth. With pension funds now exceeding N31 trillion, the sector remains a crucial long‑term capital source for government borrowing, capital‑market development, and retirement provision. Analysts expect the upward trend to continue, driven by ongoing contributions, investment gains, and wider enrolment in the Contributory Pension Scheme.
