Ibrahim Labaran

Ibrahim Labaran has over two decades of experience in business development, client service, and operations management within Nigeria’s manufacturing and financial services sector, Labaran has established himself as a visionary leader and trusted relationship manager. His career spans high-impact roles across pension fund administration, custodial services, treasury management, and business strategy, delivering measurable growth, innovative solutions, and sustainable partnerships.

As a strategic deal originator, Labaran currently serves in Business Development & Client Service at First Pension Custodian Nigeria, a subsidiary of First Bank of Nigeria. He manages client portfolios valued at about ₦12 trillion in Assets Under Management (AUM) as at August 2025 across 19 Pension Fund Administrators and 9 annuity clients. His leadership in corporate action, safekeeping, and trade settlements sets industry benchmarks for compliance, efficiency, and stakeholder trust.

He played a pivotal role in building Premium Pension and Fidelity Pension Managers Limited from zero Asset Under Management (AUM) to trillions of naira AUM and transitioned various billion-naira deals in the pension industry. Notably, are Norrenberger Pension, TangerineApt Pension Trustfund Pension’s to First Pension Custodian Nigeria Limited. He was part of asset migration of AccessARM’s and spearheaded “Project Unfunded,” generating billions in revenue within 3 months at Legacy Pension Managers Limited (now FCMB Pension Managers Limited).

Labaran holds degrees from Bayero University (BSc), Lagos State University (MBA), and Nasarawa State University, Keffi (MSc). He is an Associate Chartered Stockbroker and member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS). Additionally, he completed a Management Development Programme at Imperial College Business School, London, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Business Administration at Nasarawa State University, Keffi. He has authored academic works on pension fund impacts, capital market development, and enterprise growth, including published studies in the Oasis International Journal of Management and Social Sciences (IJOMASS).

Beyond his technical expertise, he is respected for his client-centric philosophy, blending results-driven execution with empathy and long-term trust. His ability to engage stakeholders across regulators, government agencies, private sector employers, and industry peers has made him a recognized force in Nigeria’s pension industry, earning him the MD/CEO’s award twice in his role.

Labaran is fluent in Hausa and Yoruba and is deeply committed to creating sustainable value, mentorship, culture change, and leadership development. He empowers teams to exceed targets while nurturing a culture of integrity and innovation, shaping the future of Nigeria’s pension and financial services industry.