Guinness Nigeria is a set of breweries in Nigeria, distributing under the Guinness label and owned by Tolaram.[1]

Guinness Nigeria Plc
Company typePublic company
NGXGUINNESS
IndustryAlcoholic beverage
Founded29 April 1950
Headquarters
24 Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos State
,
Key people
Mr Babatunde Abayomi Savage (Chairman)
ProductsBeer Brewing, Bottling and Marketing of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Harp Lager, Malta Guinness and other Beverages
RevenueNaira 123,663,125,000 (2011)
OwnerTolaram Group
Number of employees
1 332 (2012)
Websitehttp://www.guinness-nigeria.com
Foreign Extra Stout, the main product of Guinness Nigeria. See also the back label

History

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Guinness product was sold in Nigeria in the 1940s and 1950s by United Africa Company (UAC). In 1961, Arthur Guinness Son and Co and UAC established a brewery at Ikeja, Lagos.[2]

Built by Taylor Woodrow and being the first Guinness factory outside of Ireland and the UK, the initial plant had annual capacity to brew 75 million bottles or 150,000 barrels of beer. The plant area had a 15 million capacity bottle bin and office block designed by the firm of Godwin and Hopwood.[3]

Other breweries have been opened over time: Ogba (1963) and Benin City (1973). In 2024, the majority of its shares were sold by Diageo—which continues to own all other Guinness units—to Tolaram, which previously had no background in alcoholic beverages.[4][5]

Products

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Guinness Nigeria produces the following beer brands:

  • Foreign Extra Stout (1962), 7.5% ABV (varies),
  • Harp Lager Beer (1974), 5.15% ABV,
  • Guinness Extra Smooth (2005) 6% ABV,
  • Satzenbrau (November 2006),
  • Harp Lime (2012) – discontinued.
  • Armstrong Black Lager – discontinued
  • Dubic Extra Lager (April 2012) 5% ABV,

The RTD (ready-to-drink) products include:

  • Gordon's Spark (2001) – discontinued,
  • Smirnoff Ice (September 2006)5.5% ABV,
  • SNAPP (September 2012) 5% ABV,
  • Orijin (August 2013) 6%ABV[6]

The popular malta (soft drink) drink range includes:

  • Malta Guinness (1990),
  • Malta Guinness Low Sugar (May 2012)[7]

Community Investment

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Guinness Nigeria Plc's Water of Life initiative currently provides potable water to over 500,000 Nigerians spread across several rural communities, from Northern to Southern Nigeria. It funds scholarship and provides Guinness Eye Hospitals in three cities in Nigeria.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Tolaram Completes Acquisition of Guinness Nigeria, Announces New Board". ThisDay. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  2. ^ Akinsanya, Olu (January 1969). "How Guinness Came Into Being". The People: 26.
  3. ^ "Developments: Guinness in Nigeria". West African Builder and Architect.: 57. 1963. ISSN 0043-2970. OCLC 32562858.
  4. ^ Opalo, Ken. "Why exactly are major international firms leaving the Nigerian market?". www.africanistperspective.com. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  5. ^ Mathieu, Henry (2024-06-19). "What does Diageo's Guinness Nigeria exit mean for its beer future?". Just Drinks. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  6. ^ "Guinness Nigeria Launches Its Latest Blend Of Herbs And Fruits Drink Orijin In Port Harcourt". Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  7. ^ "New Malta Guinness Low Sugar Launches in Nigeria". 12 May 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
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