Awka, July 17, 2025
The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has refuted recent claims by former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, that SABMiller Breweries is the highest taxpayer in the state.
The rebuttal came shortly after Mr. Obi, while addressing an audience, stated that SABMiller, a beverage manufacturing company he helped attract to the state during his tenure, emained Anambra’s largest source of tax revenue.
In a public statement on Wednesday, AIRS clarified that although SABMiller, now operating as International Breweries Plc, is a notable contributor to the state’s revenue, it is not the highest taxpayer. The agency emphasized that a comprehensive tax audit revealed that several financial institutions and telecom operators actually surpass the brewery in annual tax remittances.
AIRS spokesperson, Mrs. Chinyere Okonkwo, stressed that the revenue agency operates based on verifiable data, not sentiments. “While we acknowledge the contributions of International Breweries Plc, our current records show that commercial banks and telecommunications companies rank higher in terms of tax compliance and remittance to Anambra State,” she said.
The agency also used the opportunity to caution public figures against disseminating unverified claims that may mislead the public or distort the achievements of the current tax administration.
Peter Obi is yet to respond formally to the statement. The former governor has been widely credited for laying strong foundations for economic development in Anambra, including tax reforms and investment-friendly policies. However, AIRS maintained that recent figures must reflect the evolving tax landscape in the state.
