Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers has advised Nigerian women to start planning for retirement early, regardless of their income level or employment status. The call was made during the 2025 edition of Bloom Weekend, an event dedicated to promoting women’s leadership, financial independence, and entrepreneurship.
The Executive Director of Operations at Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Mrs Lara Osunsoko, made this call at a media parley held on Friday to launch the fifth edition of the Ladies at the Table Empowerment Summit (LATTES), a special segment of the Bloom Weekend programme organised by Stanbic IBTC Bank.
Mrs Osunsoko emphasised the importance of women being financially aware and deliberate about their future. She said, “As part of the inspiring Bloom Weekend that is kicking off today, we launched the Ladies at the Table Empowerment Summit to create a safe space where women can lead conversations about their finances, their future, and legacy. Through LATTES 1.0 to 4.0, we have listened, we have learnt, and we have grown with thousands of women across the country.”
She explained that the LATTES initiative, powered by Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, has become a platform where Nigerian women talk freely about issues like ambition, financial literacy, motherhood, identity, and most importantly, retirement savings.
“At Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, we believe that when you empower a woman to plan her future, you strengthen a family and impact generations. When we help you preserve your wealth as a woman, we uplift your generation,” she said.
Mrs Osunsoko also addressed some of the common fears and misunderstandings women have about retirement savings and pensions. According to her, the lack of financial control and knowledge often makes many women shy away from pension planning.
“There’s always that worry: ‘Where’s my money going? How is it growing?’ But the truth is that pensions should not be an afterthought. The conversation around pensions should begin now, regardless of whether you’re in the formal sector, the informal sector, or running your own business,” she said.
She pointed to the company’s Pension Flex product, previously known as the micro pension scheme, as an inclusive tool designed to help women in informal jobs or self-employment save towards their retirement in a flexible manner.
“We educate. We offer financial literacy tools. We provide products that allow women to take charge of their retirement. Whether you’re a trader, fashion designer, or full-time worker, there’s a way for you to prepare for your later years,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mrs Bunmi Dayo-Olagunju, highlighted the progress women are making in business and finance with the bank’s support. She said, “We are seeing great improvement in the area of financial literacy. Women entrepreneurs are separating their personal funds from their business accounts. They are approaching banks for funding, and even at the nano business level, we are beginning to see a strong sense of strategy and planning.”
She further explained that platforms like Bloom Weekend are meant to close the knowledge gap and build women’s confidence in handling money, managing investments, and planning for the future.
Over the years, Bloom Weekend has become a flagship initiative by Stanbic IBTC to empower Nigerian women economically and socially. It brings together women across different walks of life to discuss issues around leadership, wealth building, and long-term planning.
Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers is one of the leading pension fund administrators in Nigeria and part of the Stanbic IBTC Holdings group. The firm continues to advocate for better inclusion of women in the pension space, especially those in the informal sector, by educating them and providing easy-to-use pension savings options.
As more women become entrepreneurs and small business owners, the need for sustainable retirement plans has become even more urgent. Financial experts at the event stressed that long-term financial security is not only for the elite, but for every woman who wants to age with dignity.
