Anambra Revenue Agency Refutes Peter Obi’s Claim on Brewery’s Tax Contribution
The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has strongly disagreed with claims made by former Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that SABMiller Breweries is the highest taxpayer in the state. The tax agency clarified that available data over the past two years shows that the company ranks sixth among the top corporate taxpayers in the state, far behind other firms such as Fidelity Bank Plc.
Peter Obi had made the statement during a recent Labour Party campaign rally at the All Saints Cathedral field in Onitsha. He was there in support of Dr. George Moghalu, the party’s governorship candidate for the upcoming November 2025 elections. While addressing the crowd, Obi highlighted his achievements as a former governor, including the establishment of the SABMiller Brewery. He claimed the brewery had become the state’s highest revenue-generating company and significantly boosted employment and internally generated revenue.
However, AIRS Chairman, Dr. Greg Ezeilo, swiftly responded with a press statement released on Thursday, stating that Obi’s assertion did not align with the facts. He explained that while the SABMiller Brewery, now operating under AB InBev, has made contributions to the state’s revenue, it is not the leading taxpayer. Based on actual figures, the brewery contributed an average of ₦28 million monthly in 2023 and ₦26.62 million in 2024, bringing its total tax payment over the two years to ₦656.5 million.
This amount, according to Ezeilo, positions the brewery as the sixth highest taxpayer in Anambra State, not the top as claimed. He emphasized that the clarification was necessary to ensure transparency and to address numerous public inquiries following Obi’s public remarks.
In his statement, Ezeilo also highlighted the overall progress in Anambra’s revenue generation over the years. He noted that under the current administration, the state’s monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen from the previous average of ₦1.5 to ₦2 billion to a consistent ₦4 billion per month, peaking at ₦10.5 billion in May 2025.
He further explained that the tax data reviewed did not include federal institutions that contribute significantly through the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) scheme, focusing only on corporate entities within the state.
Ezeilo’s comments are seen as a move to set the record straight and ensure that accurate information is available to the public. He reiterated that the agency respects the former governor’s contributions to Anambra’s development but insisted that factual records must not be misrepresented for political purposes.
The statement concluded by reassuring the public of the agency’s commitment to transparency and continued efforts to strengthen Anambra’s financial independence through fair and consistent tax collection.
