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Abuja has become the top recipient of foreign investment in Nigeria, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its report titled Nigeria Capital Importation, Q1 2025.
During the first quarter of the year, the FCT attracted $3.04 billion in foreign capital, surpassing Lagos, which recorded $2.54 billion. This marks the first time Lagos has been displaced as the country’s leading destination for foreign investment.
Following Lagos, Ogun State ranked third with $7.95 million, trailed by Oyo State with $7.81 million and Kaduna with $4.06 million.
The report also revealed that Nigeria recorded a total capital inflow of $5.64 billion in Q1 2025, representing a 67.12 percent increase from the $3.37 billion posted in the same period in 2024. Compared to the previous quarter (Q4 2024), when capital importation stood at $5.08 billion, the figure rose by 10.86 percent.
In terms of investment categories, portfolio investment led with $5.20 billion, accounting for 92.25 percent of the total. Other investments followed with $311.17 million (5.52 percent), while foreign direct investment contributed the least at $126.29 million, representing 2.24 percent of total inflows in Q1 2025.
“The Banking sector recorded the highest inflow with $3.12bn, representing 55.44 percent of total capital imported in Q1 2025, followed by the Financing sector, valued at $2.09bn (37.18 percent), and Production/ Manufacturing sector with $129.92m (2.30 percent).
“Capital Importation during the reference period originated largely from the United Kingdom with $3.68bn, showing 65.26 percent of the total capital imported. This was followed by the Republic of South Africa with $501.29m (8.88 percent) and Mauritius with $394.51m (6.99 percent).
“Out of the five states that recorded capital importation during the quarter, Abuja (FCT) remained the top destination with $3.04bn, accounting for 54.11 percent of the total capital imported. Lagos State followed with $2.56bn (45.44 percent), and Ogun state with $7.95m (0.14 percent).
“Others were Oyo and Kaduna States with $7.81m and $4.06 Million respectively. Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Ltd received the highest capital importation into Nigeria in Q1 2025 with $2.10bn (37.29 percent), followed by Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC with 1.39bn (24.78 percent) and Citibank Nigeria Limited with US$1.05bn (18.66 percent).”
