Economy
Stanbic IBTC Unveils ‘Game Plan-Retire Well’ Micro Pension Plan
Following the formal launch of the micro pension plan (MPP) by President Muhammadu Buhari on March 28, 2019, Nigeria’s biggest pension fund administrator (PFA), Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, has taken the lead to unveil a game-changing nationwide micro pension campaign tagged ‘Game Plan – Retire Well.’
The effort is aimed at sensitising and stimulating the informal sector not covered by the current Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to secure their buy-in into the pension scheme.
The micro pension scheme, in furtherance of the policy direction and ongoing reforms of Nigeria’s pension industry to extend the coverage of CPS to the informal sector and among other initiatives, geared at building on the achievements recorded with the pension reforms over the past few years and capable of putting the industry on stronger footing going forward.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited reiterated its support for the ongoing reforms and other PenCom initiatives it said were necessary to maintain the strength and depth of Nigeria’s Contributory Pension Scheme.
The PFA also disclosed its readiness and commitment to contributing its quota by putting in place strategic industry stakeholder engagements on ways to boost wider participation by Nigerians.
Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mr Eric Fajemisin said, ‘Game Plan-Retire Well’ is our callout to stakeholders to secure their future and reinforce the need to save and plan for retirement, irrespective of the nature of their jobs or the profession they may find themselves in. It is all about taking a decision today by signing up for a retirement plan, making the right move now towards a secure future or simply put having a game plan.”
Mr Fajemisin noted that ‘Game Plan – Retire Well’, is targeted at the various tiers of demography in the informal sector: the upper class/skilled workers, the middle class/semi-skilled, and the lower class/unskilled
Speaking further on the scheme, Mr Fajemisin said it is meant to insulate those not covered in the formal sector of the economy as well as income earners in every category against old-age poverty and would help in deepening asset accumulation in the country. According to him, the scheme will also help provide the crucial capital required for investment in critical sectors of the economy. As an initiative designed to cover an estimated 70 percent of Nigeria’s working population, currently in the informal sector, the scheme offers enormous benefits to the society, regardless of challenges associated with its seamless implementation.
Among its other benefits is improved standard of living for the elderly, safety of funds and access to other incentives, flexible contribution remittances, the opportunity to make withdrawal prior to retirement and the enhancement of financial inclusion in the country.
Executive Director, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mrs Nike Bajomo, said the company intends to create awareness across the country about ‘Game Plan – Retire Well’ – micro pension scheme to drive adoption even as the PFA continues to engage various stakeholders on developments in the industry to ensure that the provisions of the CPS are fully harnessed to the benefit of all. Such platforms as Town Hall meetings, Stakeholders fora, Associations’ meetings, Public Awareness programs and exhibitions on TV, Radio & Digital media, among other initiatives Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers will be organised yearly to ensure regular engagement and to drive awareness.
Backed by the experience and expertise of Stanbic IBTC Group which recently marked its 30th anniversary and a member of the Standard Bank Group, Mrs Bajomo said the PFA will not relent in providing excellent services to its RSA holders and Nigerians.
Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, she said, has over 1.7 million RSA holders nationwide, with assets under management in excess of N2.8 trillion. It paid N3.26 billion to over 55,809 retirees in March, 2019 and has paid out over N635 billion to retirees since the PFA commenced operations in 2006.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has imposed an immediate nationwide ban on the export of wood and allied products, revoking all previously issued licenses and permits to exporters.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal, during the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment in Katsina State.
Mr Lawal said the directive, outlined in the Presidential Executive Order titled Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025, became necessary to curb illegal logging and deforestation across the country.
“Nigeria’s forests are central to environmental sustainability, providing clean air and water, supporting livelihoods, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of climate change,” the Minister said, warning that the continued exportation of wood threatens these benefits and the long-term health of the environment.
The order, published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 of 16 October 2025, relies on Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the state to protect the environment, forests, and wildlife and prevent the exploitation of natural resources for private gain.
Under the new policy, security agencies and relevant ministries are expected to enforce a total clampdown on illegal logging activities nationwide.
On his part, the Katsina State Deputy Governor, Mr Faruk Lawal Jobe highlighted the state’s history of pioneering socio-economic policies that have influenced national policy. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges across the country.
“Environmental sustainability is critical to achieving growth and improving the quality of life of our people,” he said. “Our administration has prioritised initiatives aimed at combating desertification and promoting afforestation.”
The ban reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s shrinking forest cover and addressing climate change, while ensuring sustainable use of natural resources for future generations.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange rose by 0.24 per cent on Wednesday, December 17, pulling the Unlisted Security Index (NSI) up by 8.62 points to 3,614.64 points from 3,606.02 points.
In the same vein, the market capitalisation added N4.72 billion to close at N2.164 billion compared with the N2.160 trillion it ended on Tuesday.
The growth was inspired by four securities, which finished on the gainers’ log, neutralising the losses printed by two other securities on the trading platform.
MRS Oil Plc gained N17.90 on Wednesday to end at N196.90 per unit versus N179.00 per unit, NASD Plc appreciated by 59 Kobo to N58.50 per share from N57.91 per share, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc added 15 Kobo to sell at N60.19 per unit versus N60.04 per unit, and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc rose by 6 Kobo to 64 Kobo per share from 58 Kobo per share.
On the flip side, Golden Capital Plc extended its loss by 76 Kobo to end at N7.75 per unit versus N8.51 per unit, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc slipped by 35 Kobo to N39.65 per share from N40.00 per share.
Yesterday, the volume of transactions increased by 737.3 per cent to 20.4 million units from 2.4 million units, but the value of trades fell by 33.8 per cent to N72.2 million from N109.1 million, and the number of deals slid by 62.5 per cent to 21 deals from 56 deals.
Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company (InfraCredit) Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units sold for N16.4 billion, the second position was occupied by Okitipupa Plc with 178.9 million units transacted for N9.5 billion, and the third place was taken by MRS Oil Plc with 36.1 million units worth N4.9 billion.
InfraCredit Plc was also the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units traded for N16.4 billion, followed by IGI Plc with 1.2 billion units valued at N420.7 million, and Impresit Bakolori Plc with 536.9 million units worth N524.9 million.
By Dipo Olowookere
A 0.26 per cent growth was achieved by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Wednesday on the back of sustained bargain-hunting by investors.
This happened despite a pocket of profit-taking, with industrial goods losing 0.63 per cent and the energy index shedding 0.05 per cent.
But the insurance space increased by 2.02 per cent, the banking counter appreciated by 1.48 per cent, the commodity sector improved by 0.48 per cent, and the consumer goods segment rose by 0.03 per cent.
Consequently, the All-Share Index (ASI) went up by 383.71 points to 149,842.82 points from 149,459.11 points and the market capitalisation jumped by N244 billion to N95.525 trillion from N95.281 trillion.
The market breadth index remained positive after the bourse finished with 38 price gainers and 23 price losers, indicating a strong investor sentiment.
The quartet of First Holdco, Lasaco Assurance, Veritas Kapital, and Prestige Assurance gained 10.00 per cent to quote at N39.60, N2.75, N1.76, and N1.65, respectively, while Mecure Industries grew by 9.92 per cent to N50.40.
Conversely, Living Trust Mortgage Bank lost 10.00 per cent to close at N3.15, International Energy Insurance dropped 9.92 per cent to trade at N2.27, McNichols shrank by 6.90 per cent to N2.97, Omatek decreased by 6.84 per cent to N1.09, and Chams dipped by 6.41 per cent to N2.92.
The activity level witnessed a significant surge at midweek, with Ecobank trading 5.3 billion units for N168.7 billion.
Further, First Holdco sold 108.2 million units worth N4.2 billion, Sterling Holdings exchanged 87.3 million units valued at N606.2 million, FCMB transacted 74.3 million units worth N783.6 million, and Access Holdings sold 41.5 million units for N841.4 million.
At the close of trades, market participants traded 5.9 billion units valued at N216.2 billion in 25,205 deals compared with the 1.0 billion units worth N21.8 billion traded in 23,701 deals a day earlier, showing a rise in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 490.00 per cent, 891.74 per cent, and 6.35 per cent, respectively.
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