The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has officially refuted claims that SABMiller Breweries is the highest taxpayer in Anambra, presenting concrete evidence to set the record straight.
Government Breaks Silence on Tax Claims
In a detailed statement, AIRS Chairman Dr. Greg U. Ezeilo clarified persistent rumors circulating about SABMiller’s tax status. According to their internal review, despite past assertions and widespread public belief, SABMiller Breweries is not the top taxpayer in the state. The agency stressed that recent efforts have significantly improved internally generated revenue (IGR), with monthly collections rising from as low as ₦1.58 billion to ₦2.08 billion, and peaking at ₦10.8 billion in May 2025.
Who Really Pays the Most Tax in Anambra?
To support its position, AIRS released a two-year comparative table listing the top six corporate taxpayers in the state (excluding federal institutions and PAYE contributors) for 2023 and 2024:
Rank Company Name Tax 2023 (₦) Tax 2024 (₦)
1 DESTINATA NIG. LTD 1,259,659,684.97 1,315,519,081.34
2 KAR FLEX NIG. LTD 1,002,055,098.53 1,143,979,815.09
3 SEA GROUP IND. LTD 877,937,570.45 1,048,774,789.53
4 CHICASON IND. LTD 744,057,994.96 805,664,018.09
5 KIKE GROUP LTD 664,058,209.29 717,056,353.40
6 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC (SABMiller) 665,650,951.10 707,115,329.10
SABMiller Not Even in the Top Five
The evidence shows SABMiller (International Breweries PLC) consistently ranks sixth, behind industry leaders like Destinata and Kar Flex. Notably, the gross tax payment by SABMiller stood at ₦665.65 million for 2023 and ₦707.12 million for 2024. In sharp contrast, the leading taxpayer, Destinata Nig. Ltd., remitted over ₦1.3 billion in 2024.
Clear Evidence, Call for Responsible Public Discourse
AIRS further highlighted the need for accurate information in public discussions. The agency urged the public to verify claims before spreading them, cautioning that misrepresentations can mislead the populace and undermine accountability efforts. Dr. Ezeilo concluded by inviting the public and media to independently confirm this data and avoid unsubstantiated statements about tax contributions in the state.
The release serves as a direct challenge to claims previously made by former Gov. Peter Obi and others, showing that SABMiller is not the top taxpayer in Anambra as widely believed.
