Despite frequent international trips by the President, ministers, and other government officials in search of foreign direct investment (FDI), Nigeria’s weak governance continues to undermine investor confidence. Persistent shortcomings in the rule of law, regulatory quality, government effectiveness, and accountability are proving that sustainable investment cannot be built on poor leadership.
Latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics show that FDI collapsed by nearly 70% in Q1 2025, falling to just $126.29 million from $421.8 million in the preceding quarter. Of the total $5.64 billion in capital inflows during the period, FDI accounted for only 2.24%, down sharply from 8.2% in Q4 2024. Alarmingly, around 90% of these inflows were channelled into short-term, speculative money market instruments, offering negligible benefits for industrial growth or job creation.
The manufacturing sector was hit hard, with capital inflows dropping 32.1% year-on-year to $129.92 million in Q1 2025, down from $191.92 million in the same period of 2023. This decline reflects a deepening lack of trust in a government whose reforms appear reactive and disjointed.
While global FDI flows dipped in 2024, Africa bucked the trend, recording a 75% surge to $97 billion. Egypt led the continent with $46.58 billion, followed by Ethiopia ($3.98 billion), Côte d’Ivoire ($3.80 billion), and Mozambique ($3.55 billion). Nigeria, despite its size and resources, managed just $1.08 billion—about 1% of Africa’s total—representing a 42% drop from 2023.
The situation has worsened in 2025, with FDI plunging a further 75% between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025. These figures send a clear message: without effective leadership, strong governance, and coherent economic reforms, Nigeria will continue to fall behind its peers in attracting meaningful, long-term investment.
![Five Key Takeaways from Trump-Starmer Meeting in the UK Aylesbury, UK – September 18, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented a united front on major global issues during a joint press conference at Chequers, wrapping up Trump’s three-day visit to the United Kingdom. Despite recent tensions between Washington and European allies, the meeting underscored strong transatlantic ties as the two leaders discussed Ukraine, NATO, Gaza, Afghanistan, and more. 1. Trump Says Putin ‘Let Him Down’ Over Ukraine President Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the prolonged war in Ukraine, admitting he underestimated the challenge of resolving the conflict. “I thought it would be easiest because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down,” Trump said. PM Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, vowing to increase pressure on Russia and push for a lasting peace deal. 2. Divergence on Gaza, But Unity Against Hamas While both leaders condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, they differed on the broader approach to the Gaza conflict. Trump avoided criticizing Israel’s ongoing military campaign, which has killed over 65,000 Palestinians, calling October 7 “one of the worst days in the history of humanity.” Starmer's previous pledge to recognize a Palestinian state was noted as a “point of disagreement,” but Trump praised the UK leader’s strong stance against Hamas. 3. Trump Praises NATO and Increased Defense Spending Once a vocal NATO critic, Trump struck a different tone, applauding the alliance’s commitment to boost defense spending. “I want to thank NATO and our wonderful head of NATO, Mark [Rutte]… They’ve done a great job,” he said, highlighting a new pledge for members to spend 5% of GDP on defense. Trump emphasized U.S. support in supplying weapons to NATO allies, stressing that the alliance was now “paying its fair share.” 4. Bagram Airbase Back in Focus Trump hinted at possible negotiations with the Taliban for the U.S. to regain access to the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, which was vacated in 2021 during the Biden administration’s withdrawal. “We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said, citing its strategic location near China’s nuclear facilities. The Taliban, however, quickly dismissed the proposal, stating they welcome engagement with the U.S. but will not allow any foreign military presence. 5. Trump Weighs in on Kimmel Firing Trump also addressed the firing of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC, following political controversy over remarks involving conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. “Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings… He’s not a talented person,” Trump said, dismissing concerns about free speech and framing the firing as a business decision. Conclusion: The Trump-Starmer meeting reflected a broad effort to reinforce U.S.-UK ties amid ongoing global crises. While areas of disagreement remain, particularly on Middle East policy, both leaders signaled alignment on Ukraine, NATO, and global security cooperation.](https://trendbrio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USA-TRUMP-BRITAIN-AND-KEIR-STARMER.webp)