By Abubakar Yunusa
Nigeria’s pension assets have risen by 51 per cent over the past two years, from N 20. 7 trillion to N 31. 48 trillion, while nearly one million new contributors have joined the Contributory Pension Scheme, Omolola Oloworaran, Director- General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), said on Tuesday.
Oloworaran attributed the growth to renewed public confidence in the nation’s pension system, saying reforms introduced by the President Bola Tinubu administration had strengthened the industry’s credibility and expanded participation.
She disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Meet the Press session organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to her, pension assets increased by N 10. 7 trillion over the period, reflecting what she described as restored trust in the system.
“Every successful pension system on Earth is built on a simple foundation: confidence—confidence that contributions are safe, confidence that institutions work, confidence that after decades of honest labour, retirement will bring security, not uncertainty. Two years ago, that confidence needed restoring. Today, the verdict is in.
“Pension assets have grown from N 20. 7tn to N 31. 48tn as at this month. That is a 51 per cent increase, representing N 10. 7tn in new retirement wealth.
“Let me say plainly what those numbers mean: confidence is back, and the system is growing,” she said.
The PenCom boss noted that the growth was driven not only by improved investment performance but also by increased enrolment, with 938, 938,229 new contributors joining the Contributory Pension Scheme over the past 24 months.
She said the commission had also prioritised translating the growth in pension assets into improved welfare for retirees.
According to Oloworaran, aggregate monthly pension payments have risen by 22 per cent, increasing from N 12. 2 billion to N 14. 9 billion.
She further disclosed that following the implementation of the new national minimum wage, the Federal Government approved a N 32, 000 monthly consequential pension adjustment for eligible retirees of treasury- funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies who retired on or before July 29, 2024.
She said more than 195, 195,000 pensioners have already benefited from the upward review, describing it as part of the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of retired public servants.
