Pension Fund: A Veritable Source of Financing Real Estate Development in Nigeria

Abstract

Pension funds control relatively large amounts of capital and represent the largest institutional investors in many nations. Financing real estate on the other hand required a huge capital outlay. This study examined the viability of pension funds as an investment option in real estate development. It is empirical in approach and it adopted a survey research design. A convenient random sampling technique was used to gather data from a sample of 42 respondents comprising of 18 pension administrators and 24 Real Estate Developers and Investors. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection and a simple descriptive statistical method was use for presentation and analysis of the data. The results however reveal that both the pension administrators and the real estate developers agreed that the pension funds if well channel is a veritable means for financing real estate project. We therefore recommends amongst others that the government as a matter of urgency should slack their policy to increase the percentage of the funds for real estate development and to also advance a policy with strict guideline empowering the pension fund managers to directly grant credit to developers and real estate investors who is able to meet and comply with the conditions provided in such policy. Real estate brokers and experts should also be drafted into the pension scheme to give professional advice on the viability and feasibility of any proposed real estate development.