The National Pension Commission (PenCom) is considering diversification of pension assets investments to alternative asset classes such as private equity for higher returns.
According to the Commission, while traditional asset classes such as bonds and public equities have served their purposes, the current economic landscape characterised by volatility, rising inflation and declining purchasing power of Retirement Savings Account (RSA) contributors requires dynamic and resilient investment strategies.
Today, over 80 percent of pension fund assets are invested in fixed income securities with federal government Securities, accounting for 62 percent of total pension assets valued at N24.11 trillion as of 30 May 2025. Allocation to alternatives assets such as private equity and infrastructure funds stands at only about three percent.
Read also: Access ARM Pensions pushes micro top-ups to enhance civil servants’ retirement future
Omolola Oloworaran, director general, PenCom, made the disclosure during a sensitisation workshop organised by the industry in partnership with FSDA-Africa, on ‘Investment In Alternative Assets For Chairpersons Of Board Investment Strategy And Risk Management Committees Of Pension Fund Administrators(PFAs)’ held recently in Lagos.
Oloworaran said this potential shift comes as part of efforts to optimise returns for pension contributions amid evolving market conditions and the need for more resilient, higher-yield investment options.
She said that alternative assets provide a complimentary pillar to core investment strategies of pension funds. “Investments in infrastructure and private equity, in particular, help align pension fund portfolios with their investment horizon, provide opportunities for diversification of pension assets and enhance risk adjusted returns.”
Charging the board of PFAs for action, she said: “As chairpersons of the Investment Strategy and Risk Committees, you occupy a position of trust. You have a fiduciary duty, a legal and ethical obligation to act in the best interests of Retirement Savings Account holders at all times. This responsibility includes ensuring that investment decisions are based on sound strategy, robust risk assessments, and are compliant with the guidelines issued by the Commission,” she said.
She added, “Fiduciary responsibility also means independence of thought. It means resisting undue influence, asking hard questions, and insisting on transparency. It requires that every investment decision is not only justifiable on paper but also defensible in principle. You must continuously interrogate whether your PFAs’ investment strategy aligns with the long-term liabilities of the pension scheme and reflects a prudent balance of risk and return.”
Read also: Relief for retirees as FG clears 18-month pension arrears
Oloworaran stated that the global financial landscape is becoming more complex, with growing exposure to market volatility, geopolitical uncertainties, and evolving asset classes.
“In this context, it is no longer sufficient to rely on traditional investment approaches. Your committees must deepen oversight of risk management frameworks, ensure scenario analyses are robust, and advocate for portfolio diversification into permissible but less correlated asset classes such as infrastructure, private equity, and sustainable investments within the confines of regulation.”
