Key Takeaways
- • Parthian Pensions Managing Director Olufemi Odukoya told Punch Newspapers that the firm is using competitive investment returns, digital innovation and customer-focused services to grow its position in Nigeria's pension industry.
- • Parthian has begun extending portfolio duration across its funds to lock in current yields, as inflation eased from 15.93% in May to 14.63% in September and the CBN cut its Monetary Policy Rate to 23% in September.
- • The firm is gradually increasing exposure across all allowable traditional and alternative assets, including equities, corporate debt and infrastructure, following PenCom's higher equity limits.
- • Parthian is pursuing the informal sector through digital onboarding, mobile engagement and flexible contribution options for the Personal Pension Plan.
Summary
Parthian Pensions Managing Director Olufemi Odukoya told Punch Newspapers that the company is leveraging competitive investment returns, digital innovation and customer-focused services to strengthen its position in the pension industry, attract more contributors and widen retirement savings coverage. The interview comes as inflation eases and interest rates decline.
According to Odukoya, inflation has fallen steadily since May, from 15.93% to 14.63% in September. The Central Bank of Nigeria cut its Monetary Policy Rate to 23% in September, and rates and yields have begun to decline across several asset classes. In response, Parthian has begun extending duration across its funds to lock in current yields, as the firm expects rates to fall further. Odukoya said the approach is intended to keep contributors earning returns above inflation for longer while maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet exit payment obligations. He said the firm continuously assesses market conditions, inflation trends and interest rate movements to keep decisions aligned with the objectives of each RSA fund.
On customer retention, Odukoya said the transfer window has increased competition by letting contributors choose administrators that best meet their expectations. Parthian is differentiating itself through service quality, transparent communication, competitive investment performance and a seamless onboarding experience. He said the firm aims to build lasting relationships rather than simply attract contributors during the transfer window.
Parthian is also pursuing grassroots expansion through awareness campaigns, digital engagement and Personal Pension Plan initiatives aimed at small and medium enterprises, self-employed individuals, previously exempt groups and informal sector workers. Odukoya said these efforts include digital onboarding, mobile engagement platforms and flexible contribution arrangements that accommodate irregular income. He also cited digital investments in workflow automation and customer self-service channels intended to shorten turnaround times, including for retirement benefit payments.
On investments, Odukoya said that as part of the Parthian Group, the firm draws on group macroeconomic research and market intelligence. With PenCom's higher equity limits, Parthian is gradually increasing exposure across all allowable traditional and alternative assets, including equities, corporate debt and infrastructure. He said each investment is assessed on fundamentals, risk profile, expected returns and suitability for the relevant RSA fund rather than on market momentum alone.
According to Odukoya, inflation has fallen steadily since May, from 15.93% to 14.63% in September. The Central Bank of Nigeria cut its Monetary Policy Rate to 23% in September, and rates and yields have begun to decline across several asset classes. In response, Parthian has begun extending duration across its funds to lock in current yields, as the firm expects rates to fall further. Odukoya said the approach is intended to keep contributors earning returns above inflation for longer while maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet exit payment obligations. He said the firm continuously assesses market conditions, inflation trends and interest rate movements to keep decisions aligned with the objectives of each RSA fund.
On customer retention, Odukoya said the transfer window has increased competition by letting contributors choose administrators that best meet their expectations. Parthian is differentiating itself through service quality, transparent communication, competitive investment performance and a seamless onboarding experience. He said the firm aims to build lasting relationships rather than simply attract contributors during the transfer window.
Parthian is also pursuing grassroots expansion through awareness campaigns, digital engagement and Personal Pension Plan initiatives aimed at small and medium enterprises, self-employed individuals, previously exempt groups and informal sector workers. Odukoya said these efforts include digital onboarding, mobile engagement platforms and flexible contribution arrangements that accommodate irregular income. He also cited digital investments in workflow automation and customer self-service channels intended to shorten turnaround times, including for retirement benefit payments.
On investments, Odukoya said that as part of the Parthian Group, the firm draws on group macroeconomic research and market intelligence. With PenCom's higher equity limits, Parthian is gradually increasing exposure across all allowable traditional and alternative assets, including equities, corporate debt and infrastructure. He said each investment is assessed on fundamentals, risk profile, expected returns and suitability for the relevant RSA fund rather than on market momentum alone.
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