By Iroyin Yoruba Television
LAGOS, NIGERIA — Nigeria attracted approximately $23 billion in capital importation in 2025, while its foreign exchange reserves rose above $50 billion, according to figures presented by the Federal Government as it seeks to strengthen investor confidence and encourage longer-term investment.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole disclosed the figures at the third annual Multi-Door Courthouses and Alternative Dispute Resolution Stakeholders’ Summit in Lagos on Monday, 19 October 2026.
She said the improvement in capital inflows and reserves represented positive economic developments but warned that such indicators alone would not guarantee sustained investment.
The minister identified reliable institutions, clear regulations, enforceable contracts and the timely resolution of commercial disputes as important conditions for attracting and retaining investors.
Her remarks placed the effectiveness of Nigeria’s commercial justice system at the centre of discussions about the country’s investment environment.
CAPITAL INFLOWS INCREASED
Oduwole said Nigeria’s capital importation rose from more than $12 billion in 2024 to approximately $23 billion in 2025.
She also reported an 83 per cent year-on-year increase in capital importation between the first quarters of 2025 and 2026, with inflows rising from $5.5 billion to more than $10 billion.
Capital importation represents funds entering a country through different investment channels. It can include portfolio investments in financial instruments, foreign direct investment and other forms of capital inflow.
The figures should not be interpreted as meaning that the entire amount represents new factories, infrastructure or other long-term productive projects. The composition of investment matters because different types of capital have different implications for employment, production and economic stability.
The minister said the government wanted to encourage investment into factories, infrastructure, processing facilities and businesses capable of expanding production and exports.
She also reported that Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves had exceeded $50 billion, compared with a previous level above $40 billion.
Foreign exchange reserves can help a country manage external payment obligations and respond to pressures in the foreign exchange market. However, the level of reserves alone does not establish whether every business or household has improved access to foreign currency.
GOVERNMENT EMPHASISES COMMERCIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION
A central issue raised at the summit was the need to resolve business disputes fairly, efficiently and predictably.
Investors entering a market must consider what happens if a contract is breached, a payment is withheld or a disagreement arises over commercial obligations.
When disputes take too long to resolve, businesses may face additional legal costs, delayed projects and uncertainty over the recovery of money. Such risks can influence decisions about whether to establish operations, expand existing investments or commit funds to long-term projects.
Oduwole said the government wanted a business environment in which investors could rely on institutions to enforce contracts and address grievances.
The summit examined alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, particularly mediation and arbitration, as options for resolving certain commercial disagreements without relying exclusively on prolonged court proceedings.
Mediation generally involves a neutral third party helping the parties seek a mutually acceptable settlement. Arbitration involves submitting a dispute to an arbitrator or tribunal for a decision under the applicable agreement and legal framework.
Both mechanisms can offer practical advantages in suitable cases, although their effectiveness depends on the circumstances of the dispute, the cooperation of the parties and the enforceability of the resulting settlement or award.
ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION REFORMS
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi said arbitration and mediation could help strengthen trust, reduce investment risks and support economic development.
He identified government initiatives intended to improve Nigeria’s arbitration and alternative dispute resolution framework.
These included a review of the arbitration framework, the establishment of a National Committee on the Review of the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023, and work on a National Policy on Arbitration.
The initiatives are intended to improve the country's capacity to handle commercial disputes and strengthen its position as a destination for dispute resolution in Africa.
Fagbemi also highlighted the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, a court-connected centre that offers alternative approaches to resolving disputes.
The value of such institutions depends not only on their establishment but also on their accessibility, the quality of their procedures and the extent to which parties comply with settlements or decisions.
Businesses considering investment will still need to assess legal protections, regulatory requirements and the practical costs of operating in the country.
LAGOS CENTRE REPORTS ₦86.85 BILLION IN SETTLEMENTS AND RECOVERIES
Lagos State Chief Judge Kazeem Alogba said the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse had facilitated the settlement or recovery of ₦86.85 billion over five years.
The figure was presented as an indication of the economic value that dispute resolution can provide when it helps businesses and individuals settle disagreements and regain access to funds.
Money tied up in unresolved disputes can restrict a company's ability to pay suppliers, meet payroll obligations or finance new activities. Resolving a dispute may therefore provide benefits beyond the immediate settlement between the parties.
However, the reported amount should not automatically be interpreted as new investment entering the Nigerian economy or as money recovered exclusively for businesses. The available information does not provide a detailed breakdown of the cases or the categories of settlements included in the total.
The figure nevertheless illustrates why the efficiency of commercial dispute resolution is relevant to the wider business environment.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS AND THE QUALITY OF INVESTMENT
Oduwole also reported that Nigeria’s economy grew by more than four per cent in 2025 and maintained growth above that level during the first half of 2026.
She said inflation had declined from 33.2 per cent in 2024 to 14.63 per cent in September 2026, while non-oil exports exceeded $6 billion.
The minister further said the creative and digital sectors accounted for approximately 18 per cent of gross domestic product.
These figures were presented as evidence of improving economic conditions. Their broader significance, however, depends on how growth and investment translate into productive activity, employment, exports and household welfare.
An increase in capital importation does not automatically mean that all sectors receive more funding or that businesses face lower operating costs. The type, duration and destination of investment remain important.
Long-term investment in manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure and processing can support productive capacity, while short-term portfolio flows may respond more quickly to changes in interest rates, exchange-rate expectations and market conditions.
The government’s stated objective is to attract more capital that can expand domestic production, strengthen Nigerian businesses and create employment opportunities.
WHAT INVESTORS WILL WATCH NEXT
The next test will be whether the reported improvements in capital inflows and foreign exchange reserves are accompanied by sustained investment in productive enterprises.
Investors are likely to assess the consistency of government policies, the clarity of regulatory requirements and the reliability of commercial dispute resolution when deciding whether to commit funds for extended periods.
The proposed arbitration and mediation reforms will also need to progress from policy development to practical implementation before their full effects can be assessed.
For businesses already operating in Nigeria, more predictable procedures for resolving disputes could help reduce uncertainty and improve confidence in contractual relationships.
For prospective investors, the ability to enforce agreements and resolve disagreements fairly can be as important as headline economic indicators.
Nigeria’s reported capital inflows and stronger foreign exchange reserves provide a positive element in the government’s account of the economy. Sustaining investor interest, however, will require more than improving figures. Effective institutions, transparent regulation and dependable commercial justice will remain important to converting investment interest into lasting economic activity.