The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has disclosed that the United Kingdom emerged as the leading source of new foreign direct investment into Nigeria in 2025, accounting for about 65 per cent of total capital inflows.

The development reflects a renewed confidence in Nigeria among international investors and signals growing interest in the country’s evolving economic landscape.

According to the ministry, the surge in UK investments followed the activation of the UK–Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership, alongside a series of domestic economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government to strengthen investor confidence and improve the overall business environment.

The revelation was contained in a policy document titled 2025: A Defining Year for Nigeria’s Industry, Trade and Investment, which highlighted that the United Kingdom accounted for a substantial share of recent funding commitments recorded in the country.

The ministry identified two major transactions that underscored the scale of British investment participation. These include a 7.5 million dollar capital injection into agricultural enterprise Babban Gona and a 40.5 million dollar investment in industrial firm Johnvent Industries.

“UK investors now account for approximately 65 per cent of recent inflows, including$7.5 million into Babban Gona and $40.5 million into Johnvent Industries,” the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment said, describing the inflows as clear evidence of growing trust in Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.

The policy document, which reviewed the first year of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, described 2025 as a turning point in Nigeria’s investment climate. It noted that the government responded to prevailing global economic headwinds with targeted policy adjustments that clearly communicated that Nigeria is “open for business”.

The ministry further explained that its current investment attraction strategy departs from the passive promotional methods traditionally associated with foreign investment drive. Instead, it is anchored on systems designed to reduce information gaps, enhance project visibility and improve the bankability of investment opportunities.

“Through structured deal origination, FMITI has proactively built a de-risked pipeline exceeding $5 billion across priority sectors,” the report stated.

It added that the new framework supports investors “from first engagement to firm commitment”, marking a shift from conventional models that often slow down or obstruct the flow of capital into the economy.

The ministry also linked the strong participation of UK investors to sustained bilateral engagements between Nigeria and key global economies. It noted that high-level investment missions to the United Kingdom and other strategic markets have played a significant role in reshaping investor perceptions and positioning Nigeria more prominently within global investment circles.