By Bisi Bamishe
The Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (Penop), along with the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) recently convened a webinar titled “Maximizing the Potential of RSA Fund VI: Exploring Sharia-Compliant Investments”.
The event gathered industry stakeholders to address the growing interest in non-interest financial products, particularly those under RSA Fund VI, a dedicated Sharia-compliant fund within the Contributory Pension Scheme.
PenOp CEO Oguche Agudah in the opening remarks, stood up expanding the investment options available under RSA Fund VI. He called for deeper industry collaboration to address existing challenges and seize opportunities for growth in Sharia-compliant and ethical investments.
The Chairman of the Pension Industry Non- Interest Advisory Committee (PINAC), Dr. Adam Muhammad Abubakar outlined the current challenges PFAs face in accessing Sharia-compliant instruments. He stressed the need for more investment outlets and enhanced awareness about the growth potential of non- interest financial products.
Bil-yaminu Yakubu, who represented the Head of Investment supervision of PenCom- Mr. Dahiru, Abdulqadir, said the Commission had made advances in ethical investment space, he clears, “We understand the challenges PFAs are facing in terms of regulatory clarity. PenCom is committed to providing clear rules that will foster confidence in investing in non-interest instruments, ensuring compliance while driving innovation.”
The session also highlighted how Sharia-compliant investments, particularly Sukuk bonds, have played a crucial role in raising infrastructure funds. Attendees argued that expanding the issuance size of such instruments is seen as key to attracting more PFA participation and driving the growth of RSA Fund VI. Participants also discussed the importance of clear guidelines from PenCom and SEC to support the growth of non-interest financial instruments.
Abimbola Yusuf, Treasurer of Alternative Bank, delved into standalone non-interest bank and highlighted upcoming products for Fund VI, promising the firm would deliver “tailored financial services that comply with Islamic finance principles. Our goal is to offer pension fund administrators innovative products that meet both liquidity needs and ethical standards.”
Akeem Oyewale, CEO of Marble Capital, echoed similar sentiments that, the market for Sharia-compliant investments is growing, and the firm is “developing a robust pipeline of instruments to support PFAs in diversifying their portfolios. Collaboration with issuers is key to ensuring that the size of Sharia compliant issuances grows, creating more investment opportunities.”
As the demand for non-interest financial products continues to grow, Penop said it remains committed to ensuring that Sharia-compliant and ethical investments can thrive within Nigeria’s pension framework; and would continue to work closely with regulators and industry players to unlock the full potential of RSA Fund VI. The session was sponsored by Alternative Bank and Marble Capital.
