This study focused on examining the distributive effect of foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows on the performance of the Nigerian economy, with specific reference to the real sector of the economy. The major problem was that despite increasing inflows of fdi to the Nigerian economy, the sectors identified in this work were performing poorly. Thus, the objective of this study were to establish the relationship that exists between capacity utilization rate, export volumes, growth rate of gross domestic and the inflows of fdi to mining & quarrying, manufacturing & processing, agriculture and fisheries, transport & communication, building and construction and trading and business. Literature was reviewed and the OLS multiple regression model was used to analyse the relationships.