The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has publicly refuted a recent statement by former governor Peter Obi that the SABMiller Brewery is the highest tax-paying entity in the state.
In a clarification issued Thursday, the agency said the brewery does not top the list of corporate taxpayers and actually ranks sixth well behind financial institutions like Fidelity Bank Plc.
In the statement, AIRS described Obi’s assertion as “factually incorrect”, noting that it has become necessary to correct public misconceptions and provide a transparent breakdown of the state's top revenue sources.
“SABMiller Breweries, contrary to the circulating claims, is not the highest taxpayer in Anambra State. It occupies the sixth position, based on actual tax remittances for the years 2023 and 2024,” the agency stated.
Breakdown of Tax Contributions
According to AIRS, SABMiller—operated by Intafact Beverages Limited and known for producing Hero Lager, Castle Milk Stout, Grand Malt, and Beta Malt—paid an average of ₦28 million per month in 2023, and ₦26.62 million per month in 2024. In contrast, Fidelity Bank Plc, the top-ranked contributor during the same period, paid a total of ₦656.5 million across the two years.
“By every available metric, SABMiller’s contributions, while significant, do not place the company in the top five,” AIRS said. “As such, the claim of it being the highest revenue source can be dismissed without hesitation.”
The agency emphasized that the clarification became necessary following multiple inquiries from the public and stakeholders about the state’s actual tax contributors.
Growth in Internally Generated Revenue
AIRS also took the opportunity to highlight its achievements in boosting Anambra’s internally generated revenue (IGR). The agency noted a dramatic increase in monthly IGR from an earlier range of ₦1.5 billion to ₦2.0 billion to a consistent ₦4 billion per month. It also recorded an unprecedented peak of ₦10.5 billion in May 2025, marking a significant milestone in the state's fiscal performance.
“We have built a more efficient, transparent, and technology-driven tax system. SABMiller is certainly a valued stakeholder, but it is not the state’s top contributor,” the agency clarified.
Obi’s Position and Past Investments
Peter Obi, who governed Anambra State from 2006 to 2014 and later emerged as the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has consistently defended his administration’s investment in the SABMiller facility located in Onitsha. In a recent media interview, Obi recounted the obstacles he overcame to attract the brewery to Anambra, framing it as a transformative economic decision.
“If I tell you what I suffered for that brewery to be built in Anambra State, you will not believe it,” Obi said. “I had to go out trying to attract business to the state. Today, the biggest revenue earner in Anambra State is our brewery.”
However, the latest data from the state’s revenue authorities appears to contradict that claim.
A Call for Accuracy in Public Discourse
The AIRS emphasized that while Obi’s role in encouraging private investment in the state is commendable, factual accuracy is essential in public conversations about the state’s economic profile. The agency said it remains committed to publishing data-driven insights to counter misinformation and promote transparency.
“We appreciate the former governor’s efforts in economic development. However, we must correct the record with verifiable data. Claims made in public must be rooted in facts, especially when it comes to fiscal matters,” the statement concluded.
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