Nigerian Bottling Company has marked 75 years of operations in Nigeria, celebrating a milestone that has seen the Coca-Cola bottling company grow from its first production run in Ebute Metta, Lagos, in 1951 into a nationwide manufacturing and distribution business. The anniversary was commemorated with a gala at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, where government officials and business leaders highlighted the company’s contribution to Nigeria’s industrial and consumer economy, as reported by Premium Times. NBC now operates eight plants, 11 depots and 52 commercial territories across the country, supporting activity across manufacturing, logistics, retail and other parts of the local value chain. A 2024 economic impact study by Steward Redqueen estimated that the Coca-Cola system generated about $1 billion in value-added economic activity in Nigeria and supported more than 160,000 jobs.
The anniversary also comes with a renewed investment push from the Coca-Cola system. Coca-Cola HBC Chief Executive Officer Zoran Bogdanovic reaffirmed its commitment to invest up to $1 billion in Nigeria over five years, subject to a predictable and enabling business environment, with investments already underway to expand manufacturing capacity at NBC’s Asejire plant in Oyo State and Challawa plant in Kano State. In June, NBC commissioned three new production lines across the two facilities as part of the programme. The company said the new lines represent the first phase of further capacity additions planned across its Nigerian manufacturing network.
Beyond manufacturing, NBC’s 75th anniversary has been accompanied by new commitments focused on entrepreneurship and community development. The Coca-Cola HBC Foundation announced $1.25 million over three years to support young Nigerian entrepreneurs in the hospitality and food service sectors through grants, training, business formalisation support and mentorship, while The Coca-Cola Foundation committed another $1.25 million towards sustainable clean water initiatives in Lagos and Abuja. For NBC Managing Director Goran Sladic, the milestone represents “75 years of growing with Nigeria”, with the company positioning its next chapter around local value chains, talent development, manufacturing capacity and long-term economic participation.
