During a media parley held in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, top executives of Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB Plc) reaffirmed the company’s commitment to creating a balanced tax environment, promoting responsible consumption, and deepening its social and environmental impact across Nigeria.
Addressing the media, Dr. Uzodinma Odenigbo, Corporate Affairs Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, underscored the importance of an enabling business climate that supports investment and growth. He cautioned against the proposed introduction of tax stamps on beer products, arguing that it could introduce unnecessary costs and operational disruptions to an already overburdened manufacturing sector.
“The proposed tax stamp regime, though well-intentioned, could disrupt operational efficiency and inadvertently penalize compliant companies,” Odenigbo said. “Our call is for a fair, growth-focused tax policy that encourages productivity, job creation, and industrial stability — not measures that constrain economic activity.”
Odenigbo also drew attention to the misuse of returnable beer bottles, describing it as a growing challenge with both environmental and financial implications.
“Our returnable bottles are a key component of our circular economy model, yet they are often misused or diverted,” he noted. “This practice not only increases replacement costs but undermines our recycling objectives and sustainability vision.”
He called for stronger public awareness, law enforcement, and community partnerships to protect returnable packaging systems and sustain Nigeria’s circular economy.
Adding to the discussion, Mr. Oluseye Olokun, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager at NB Plc, highlighted the company’s strategic achievements in sustainability and community impact, emphasizing that its CSR philosophy aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Heineken’s Brew a Better World global agenda.
Olokun listed several ongoing projects that demonstrate NB Plc’s leadership in sustainability:
- Water Stewardship Initiatives providing clean water to underserved communities.
- Youth and Women Empowerment Programs that boost livelihoods and entrepreneurship.
- Renewable Energy and Waste Reduction Projects across NB plants nationwide.
- Education and Health Interventions, including scholarship awards and medical outreach.
“Sustainability is not just an initiative at Nigerian Breweries — it is embedded in our operations,” Olokun said. “Every project we execute aims to create long-term value for the people and the environment.”
Expert Insight: Economist Urges Policy Stability and Private-Sector Dialogue
Providing an economic perspective, Mr. Celestine Ukpong, a Lagos-based economist and investment analyst, lauded Nigerian Breweries for its proactive engagement with regulators and its leadership in championing responsible tax advocacy.
According to Ukpong, excessive taxation of the productive sector could stifle investment flows, particularly in the manufacturing and agribusiness value chains that employ millions of Nigerians.
“Government needs to focus on widening the tax net, not deepening the burden on existing compliant sectors like brewing,” Ukpong explained. “Collaborative policy dialogue between regulators and key industry players, such as Nigerian Breweries, is essential to achieving inclusive growth and fiscal sustainability.”
He added that NB Plc’s consistent emphasis on local sourcing, stakeholder collaboration, and community investment serves as a blueprint for how private enterprises can align profitability with public interest.
Key Takeaways from the NB Plc Media Parley
1. Tax Policy Advocacy: Nigerian Breweries Plc calls for a balanced tax framework to promote industrial competitiveness and safeguard jobs.
2. Responsible Packaging: Company warns against the misuse of returnable bottles, urging public education and enforcement.
3. Sustainability Achievements: Highlights include clean water projects, renewable energy adoption, and empowerment programs.
4. Industry Collaboration: NB Plc continues to engage regulators through MAN, BSG, and NECA to ensure policy alignment.
5. Expert Commentary: Economist Celestine Ukpong emphasizes the need for predictable policies and partnership-driven fiscal reforms.
As the debate over beer tax stamps continues, Nigerian Breweries Plc remains firm in its stance that long-term economic growth requires stability, sustainability, and collaboration between government, industry, and society.
Through its sustained advocacy and impact-driven CSR initiatives, NB Plc continues to demonstrate its role not only as a market leader but also as a responsible corporate citizen committed to Nigeria’s economic resilience and social progress.
At a media parley in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigerian Breweries Plc executives Dr. Uzodinma Odenigbo and Mr. Oluseye Olokun called for fair tax policies, warned against the misuse of returnable bottles, and showcased the company’s CSR milestones, as economist Celestine Ukpong urged collaboration for investment-friendly reforms.
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