AccessARM Pensions Confident Ahead of Recapitalisation Deadline as Industry Faces Structural Shift
Momentum is building within Nigeria’s pension industry as operators adjust to a new wave of regulatory capital requirements introduced by the National Pension Commission (PenCom). At the centre of this transition is Abimbola Sulaiman, acting Managing Director and CEO of AccessARM Pensions Limited, who has expressed strong confidence that the firm will comfortably meet the recapitalisation requirements ahead of schedule.
Her remarks were delivered during a fireside chat at the BusinessDay Pension Conference 2026, where she spoke on the theme of capital deployment and investment mobilisation in an evolving global economy. The discussion came at a pivotal moment for the sector, as operators reposition themselves to comply with updated financial thresholds designed to strengthen stability and long-term resilience.
Under the new framework issued in a circular dated September 26, 2025, pension operators are required to meet significantly higher capital benchmarks. PFAs with assets under management (AUM) of N500 billion and above must maintain a minimum capital base of N20 billion, plus an additional one per cent of assets exceeding that threshold. Those below N500 billion are also required to hold at least N20 billion in capital.
Specialised pension operators face even higher requirements, with special-purpose PFAs expected to maintain N30 billion, while the Nigerian University Pension Management Company is required to hold N20 billion. For pension fund custodians, the minimum capital requirement has been raised sharply from N2 billion (set in 2004) to N25 billion, plus 0.1 per cent of assets under custody. New licences for custodians will also require N25 billion in minimum capital.
Against this backdrop, Sulaiman emphasised that AccessARM Pensions is well positioned to comply, stressing that the company expects to meet the new capital threshold before the end of the year—well ahead of the regulatory deadline. She noted that this will be achieved through internal resources, reflecting what she described as the firm’s operational discipline and financial strength.
Beyond compliance, she highlighted that the organisation’s focus remains firmly on delivering value to customers. According to her, the company’s strategy is centred on enhancing customer experience, maintaining disciplined investment processes, and generating competitive, risk-adjusted returns over the long term.
She also noted that AccessARM Pensions—formed from a merger completed in late 2024—is still a relatively young institution, but one that is deliberately building resilience and scalability from the ground up. Strengthening service delivery and investment management capabilities, she said, remains central to its long-term positioning in the market.
The broader industry outlook was also echoed by Wale Okunrinboye, Chief Investment Officer at AccessARM Pensions, who spoke during a panel session on pension reforms and recapitalisation. He observed that the post-recapitalisation era is likely to trigger increased consolidation across the sector, with scale emerging as a decisive competitive advantage.
He added that larger operators are better positioned to invest in technology, improve efficiency, and reduce the cost of servicing clients. According to him, digital transformation will be essential for expanding pension coverage and addressing existing gaps in the system.
Okunrinboye also predicted a gradual shift in investment strategies across the industry, with a move away from largely passive approaches toward more active management, particularly in alternative asset classes. This evolution, he suggested, will be crucial in improving returns and adapting to changing global financial conditions.
As the recapitalisation deadline approaches, the pension industry appears to be entering a defining phase—one shaped by stronger capital bases, increased consolidation, and a sharper focus on scale, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.