Nigeria’s pension assets rose by N289.4 billion in August 2026 to N31.80 trillion, continuing the recovery recorded by the industry after a sharp decline in June.
The latest industry portfolio report released by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) showed that total pension assets increased from N31.51 trillion at the end of July to N31.80 trillion by August 31, representing monthly growth of about 0.9 per cent.
The August increase followed a stronger N813.3 billion growth recorded in July, after pension assets declined by N623.6 billion in June.
The unaudited PenCom report showed that the industry’s assets were spread across existing schemes, closed pension fund administrators and Retirement Savings Account funds, including unremitted contributions and legacy funds.
Retirement Savings Account membership also increased to 11.39 million contributors as of August, indicating continued expansion in the number of workers participating in the pension system.
The increase in pension assets was recorded across most major fund categories.
Fund I assets rose by N14.4 billion, while Fund II increased by N11.9 billion. Fund III, the industry’s largest pool, gained N105.4 billion, while Fund IV increased by N98.2 billion.
Fund V assets rose by N28.2 billion and Fund VI increased by N10.6 billion. Retiree Fund VI gained N21.1 billion, while existing schemes added N14.4 billion.
Closed Pension Fund Administrators, however, recorded a marginal decline of about N1.2 billion during the month.
Fund III’s net asset value rose to N13.45 trillion from N13.35 trillion, while Fund IV increased to N8.10 trillion from N8 trillion.
Federal Government securities remained the largest component of pension fund investments, accounting for N17.80 trillion of the industry’s assets.
Domestic ordinary shares accounted for N6.32 trillion, while corporate debt securities stood at N2.21 trillion. Money market instruments accounted for N3.27 trillion.
The report also showed that N344.6 billion was invested in infrastructure funds, while N148.6 billion was held in real estate investment trusts, N267 billion in private equity and N132.8 billion in direct real estate investments.
Corporate infrastructure bonds accounted for a further N76.2 billion, highlighting the industry’s growing exposure to investments outside traditional government securities.
PenCom valued the industry’s total pension assets at $23.87 billion in August, using an exchange rate of N1,332.44 to the dollar.
With assets above N31 trillion and membership of 11.39 million, the pension industry remains an important source of long-term domestic capital for Nigeria’s financial system.
