The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says foreign portfolio investment (FPI) inflows rose by 258.51 percent to $3.37 billion in January 2026, accounting for 95.72 percent of total capital importation during the month.
In its January 2026 economic report, the apex bank said
total capital inflow into the economy increased sharply to $3.52 billion in
January, compared to $1.25 billion recorded in December 2025.
The CBN attributed the development mainly to increased
foreign investments in bonds and money market instruments.
“A disaggregation showed that inflow of foreign portfolio
investment amounted to US$3.37 billion, a surge from the US$0.94 billion in
December 2025, due to significantly higher inflows for the purchase of bonds
and money market instruments,” the report reads.
The bank said portfolio investment remained the dominant
source of foreign capital, accounting for 95.72 percent of total inflows, while
other investment and direct investment accounted for 3.51 percent and 0.77
percent, respectively.
According to the report, the banking sector received the
largest share of capital importation with 75.15 percent of total inflows,
followed by financing activities which attracted 22.20 percent.
“Production/manufacturing and shares accounted for 1.16
percent and 0.76 percent, respectively,” CBN added.
The CBN also said Lagos remained the leading destination for
capital inflows, accounting for 90.17 percent of total importation.
“This was followed by the Federal Capital Territory (9.80),
Ogun state (0.02%), and Akwa-Ibom state
(0.01%),” the report added.
CBN SAYS CAPITAL OUTFLOWS DROPPED IN JANUARY
CBN said capital outflows moderated in the review period,
due mainly to lower loan repayment and dividend repatriation.
“Total capital outflow fell to US$1.63 billion, from US$1.77
billion in the preceding month, reflecting lower loan repayment and dividend
repatriation,” the apex bank said.
“Loan repayments decreased by 31.25 per cent to US$0.44
billion, while repatriation of dividends decreased by 98.10 per cent to US$0.01
billion, relative to the level in the preceding month.
“However, capital transfers rose by 59.45 percent to US$1.18
billion from the level in the preceding month. Capital transfers accounted for
72.25 per cent of total capital outflows, while 27.29 per cent was for loan
repayments. Repatriation of dividends constituted the balance of capital
outflow.”
On the external sector, the apex bank said the naira
appreciated by 2.43 percent at the Nigerian foreign exchange market (NFEM) to
N1,416.52/$ in January 2026 compared to the preceding month.
The CBN said the banking sector remained resilient, with the
industry liquidity ratio rising to 63.38 percent from 57.22 percent, above the
30 percent prudential threshold.
“The capital adequacy ratio stood at 12.05 percent, above
the 10 percent regulatory minimum,” CBN added.
However, the apex bank said non-performing loans (NPLs) rose
to 8.03 percent following the withdrawal of regulatory forbearance and loan
reclassification, exceeding the 5 percent prudential benchmark.
CBN added that external reserves rose to $48.88 billion
during the period, enough to cover 8.93 months of imports for goods and
services.
The report also showed that Nigeria recorded a higher trade
surplus of $0.48 billion in January 2026, up from $0.15 billion in the previous
month, driven by increased export receipts.
CBN said crude oil, gas, and refined petroleum products
accounted for 83.12 percent of export earnings, while cocoa beans remained
Nigeria’s largest non-oil export product with a 32.20 percent share.
The apex bank also said improved
domestic refining capacity helped reduce petroleum product imports, which
declined to $0.57 billion from $0.74 billion in the preceding month.
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