Economy
Nigeria’s Pension Fund Assets to GDP Ratio at 8.08%—PenCom
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has said that Nigeria’s Pension Fund Assets-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is very low when compared with its counterparts globally.
According to Pencom’s Technical Commissioner, Mr Anyim Nyerere, it currently stands at 8.08 per cent as of the fourth quarter of 2020.
He made the disclosure while speaking at the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) 2021 national workshop last Thursday themed Leveraging the Financial Markets to Achieve Double-Digit Economic Growth for Nigeria.
At the event held in Abuja with several policymakers in attendance, Mr Nyerere noted that the pension fund assets to the GDP was insignificant when compared to other countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.
He also disclosed that the performance was “insignificant” compared to Nigeria’s counterparts in the African region.
“We can see where we are. This is insignificant when compared within the African sub-region. South Africa’s pension [fund] assets to GDP ratio is over 63.29 per cent,” he stated.
Mr Nyerere then noted that despite the relatively low figure, Nigeria was beginning to see a silver lining as evident in the Pension Reforms Act of 2004 which has over the years boosted the sector.
“Nigeria is starting to reap the gains from the pension fund reforms that began in 2004. As of then, we had a pension fund of N2 trillion, but today, the country has a pension fund assets base of N12.657 trillion as at June 2021,” the PenCom top shop said.
He pointed out that despite the laudable development, the sector had been marred by “weak and inefficient administration and financial malpractices.”
Looking at how the pension funds can help develop the Nigerian economy to achieve double-digit growth, he said there are opportunities to access the country’s pension funds to strengthen the financial market for accelerated domestic production and development.
“Globally, pension funds serve as a long term pool of funds, that is increasingly being utilised for the socio-economic advancement of several countries.
“However, because of the nature of the pension fund, regulators and fund managers are bound by their judicial duties to ensure the safety of the funds while also pursuing regulatory fair returns.
“Countries, including Nigeria, have developed their market by creating innovative instruments that have allowed for the utilisation of pension funds to bring about socio-economic development in a sustainable manner,” Mr Nyerere said at the seminar monitored by Business Post.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The pre-registration training and examination for capital market operators (CMOs) for the second quarter of 2026 has been postponed.
Business Post gathered that the new date for the exercise is now Monday, June 15, 2026.
This information was disclosed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a circular on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The Nigerian capital market regulator stated that this postponement has also resulted in the extension of the deadline for registration to Friday, June 12, 2026.
In the notice today, the SEC expressed its regret for the inconvenience this action may cause operators, who had prepared for the initial date of the training and examination.
“Further to the recent circular on Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hereby informs all eligible applicants for the Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination that the commencement date has been postponed to Monday, June 15, 2026.
“Registration on the designated portal has also been extended to Friday, June 12, 2026. All other conditions contained in the circular remain unchanged.
“The commission regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the understanding of all applicants,” the disclosure noted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading healthcare firms in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The new stocks absorbed into the stock market were 600 million units, raising the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each from 2,400,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.
The fresh equities came from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share.
They were issued to existing investors on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Confirming the development, the regulator in a notice said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Fidson Healthcare Plc were on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.
“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
“With the listing of the additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson Healthcare Plc have now increased from 2,400,000,000 to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
This news will surely excite local contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less, as the federal government has approved their payments.
This approval for the disbursement was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.
This followed a verification and reconciliation exercise designed to ensure only validated claims qualify for payment.
The beneficiaries cover contractors across multiple ministries, departments and agencies. The release of the funds is expected to enable contractors to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers and meet outstanding financial commitments.
In an announcement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Finance also said this latest batch of payments would ease liquidity pressure on small businesses and accelerate economic activity nationwide.
It was noted that the payments for verified claims of N100 million below were strategically done to spread economic impact broadly rather than concentrate disbursements among a handful of large firms.
The payments form part of a broader push to clear inherited contractor obligations, with over N700 billion verified in recent months.
“For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth,” the ministry said in a statement.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn