‘Peter Obi wrong on SABMiller’s tax status’ – Anambra Revenue Service
The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AiRS) has dismissed claims attributed to former Governor Peter Obi that SABMiller Breweries is the highest taxpayer in the state.
Chairman of AiRS, Dr. Greg U. Ezeilo, made the clarification in a statement issued on Thursday, noting that the brewery ranks sixth among top tax-paying corporate bodies in Anambra between 2023 and 2024.
“Contrary to the claims made by the former governor, our records show that SABMiller paid ₦656.5 million over two years, averaging just ₦28 million monthly in 2023 and ₦26.62 million in 2024,” Ezeilo stated.
He said Fidelity Bank Plc led the chart of highest tax contributors during the period, while SABMiller’s position “can be dismissed with a wave of the hand.”
The clarification follows a significant increase in Anambra’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which has risen from a low average of ₦1.5–2 billion monthly to over ₦4 billion, peaking at ₦10.5 billion in May 2025.
Dr. Ezeilo stressed that the clarification was necessary in response to media reports and public inquiries sparked by the former governor’s comments.
He also noted that federal institutions—especially those paying Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes—contribute substantially to the state’s revenue but were excluded from the comparison to focus on corporate entities.
The AiRS reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accurate public communication in its efforts to grow Anambra’s economy.
