Nigeria’s pension industry maintained its upward momentum in October 2025, with OAK Pensions Limited and the Nigerian University Pension Management Company emerging as the best-performing Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) across major fund categories.
According to data compiled by the Nairametrics Research Team, the overall average industry return rose to 1.91% in October, compared to 1.24% recorded in September. The performance was driven by higher yields in the fixed-income market and modest gains in equities.
OAK Pensions Limited topped the chart with an impressive 2.32% average return across all funds. The PFA achieved 3.72% in Fund I, 2.28% in Fund II, 2.02% in Fund III, and 1.27% in Fund IV — reflecting strong diversification and effective portfolio management.
Closely behind was the Nigerian University Pension Management Company, which delivered an average return of 2.30%. The company posted the highest gain in Fund I at 4.65%, supported by strategic investments in high-yield bonds and efficient asset allocation.
CardinalStone Pensions ranked third with a 2.26% average return, followed by Pensions Alliance Limited with 2.23%, and Trustfund Pensions Plc at 2.22%. Other top performers included Tangerine Apt Pensions (2.20%), Norrenberger Pensions (2.10%), and Guaranty Trust Pension Managers (2.01%).
On the lower end, Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited recorded the weakest overall return at 1.45%, attributed to its conservative investment strategy and limited exposure to high-yield assets.
Across fund categories, Fund I — tailored for contributors under 50 — delivered the strongest performance with an average return of 2.80%, supported by improved equity market sentiment. Fund II, the largest pool for contributors, grew by 1.88%, while Fund III (pre-retirees) and Fund IV (retirees) recorded 1.58% and 1.40%, respectively.
The improved results reflect stronger fixed-income yields and a modest rebound in equities, with the NGX All-Share Index gaining about 8% month-to-date in October.
Analysts say the positive showing underscores how strategic diversification and effective asset allocation continue to drive consistent growth in Nigeria’s pension industry despite broader market volatility.
