y Niyi Jacobs
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has commenced a two-day technical workshop and capacity building programme for Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), focused on expanding investments into alternative asset classes. The event is taking place at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, from June 26 to 27, 2025.
With Nigeria’s pension industry surpassing N22 trillion in assets under management as of December 2024, the Commission says it has become increasingly important to diversify investments beyond the traditional choices of government securities, money market instruments, and blue-chip equities. While these instruments offer safety, their limitations in long-term returns and growth potential—especially in a frontier market like Nigeria—have prompted PenCom to encourage a shift toward alternative assets such as infrastructure, real estate, and private equity.
In her opening remarks, PenCom Director General Omolola Oloworaran highlighted the strategic importance of expanding investment allocations. She noted that although the pension industry has grown significantly, the rapid accumulation of pension savings without corresponding investible instruments in traditional markets creates a systemic bottleneck. The workshop, she said, is part of the Commission’s quarterly initiative to sensitize stakeholders and promote safer, broader portfolios through alternative investment opportunities.
The event, designed for top-level investment decision-makers, brings together Board Chairs of Investment Strategy and Risk Management Committees, Managing Directors, and Chief Executive Officers from various PFAs. The first day featured registration and opening statements, with presentations and engagements led by high-level facilitators including Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria; Adebayo Aranye, Senior Specialist at FSD Africa; and Christopher Bajowa, President of the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) and CEO of FCMB Pensions.
The workshop aims to improve knowledge among pension professionals about the opportunities and risks in alternative asset investments. It is also expected to foster greater cooperation among stakeholders in this investment space while encouraging informed decisions that can lead to improved diversification of pension assets in the country.
As the Nigerian pension industry seeks to align its capital with the country’s broader development goals, this initiative by PenCom marks a critical step toward unlocking new value in the sector. The workshop continues on June 27 with more technical sessions expected to equip participants with actionable strategies to transform Nigeria’s pension investment landscape.
