Nigeria’s capital importation surged to a record $21 billion within the first 10 months of 2025, representing a 75% jump from about $12 billion during the same period in 2024.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, during the 2026 budget defence before the Joint House of Representatives Committee on Commerce in Abuja. She attributed the sharp rise to renewed investor confidence, driven by targeted Federal Government reforms.
“The ministry curated over $5 billion in bankable projects, established sector-specific deal rooms, and hosted Nigeria’s first Domestic Investors’ Summit initiatives,” Oduwole said. “These interventions re-engaged domestic capital and accelerated the transition of projects from proposal to implementation.”
The minister noted that the ministry also conducted over 100 bilateral investment engagements across strategic markets, including the UAE, Brazil, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Engagement under the Nigeria–UK Economic and Trade Partnership, which commenced in Q2 2024, contributed significantly, with UK investors accounting for about 65% of Nigeria’s foreign capital inflows in 2025.
On trade performance, Oduwole revealed that Nigeria recorded a trade surplus, with total trade valued at approximately ₦113 trillion in the first three quarters. Non-oil exports rose by about 11% year-on-year to $6.1 billion, marking the highest volume and value ever recorded.
The minister highlighted the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in driving industrial diversification, generating over $500 million in export revenue and creating more than 20,000 direct jobs.
She explained that the ministry’s strategy is focused on strengthening Nigeria’s productive capacity by linking domestic supply to global and regional demand. Priority value chains include agro-processing, solid minerals beneficiation, light manufacturing, and digital services, all aimed at consolidating economic diversification and export growth.
