Abuja has emerged as the leading destination for foreign capital inflow into Nigeria, overtaking Lagos for the first time, according to the latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The FCT attracted $3.04 billion in the first quarter of 2025, while Lagos followed with $2.54 billion. Ogun, Oyo, and Kaduna states trailed with smaller amounts.
The report shows Nigeria recorded a total of $5.64 billion in capital importation for the quarter — a 67% increase compared to the same period in 2024, and a 10.86% rise from the previous quarter.
Portfolio investment accounted for the bulk of the inflow, followed by other investments and foreign direct investment.
The banking sector received the highest share, followed by financing and manufacturing. Most of the capital came from the UK, South Africa, and Mauritius, with Standard Chartered, Stanbic IBTC, and Citibank handling the largest inflows.
