Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd, a member of the Coca-Cola HBC Group, has commemorated its 75th anniversary of operations in Nigeria with a gala held at the Conference Centre in Abuja.
The celebration brought together key stakeholders and senior representatives of the Coca-Cola system to reflect on the company’s seven-and-a-half decades of operations and its contributions to Nigeria’s economy and communities.
Speaking on the company’s history, Chairman of Coca-Cola HBC, Anastassis G. David, recalled that Anastasios Leventis secured the rights to operate across Nigeria in 1951, describing the decision as a bold demonstration of confidence in the country and its people.
David said that the vision established at the company’s inception remained relevant to Coca-Cola HBC’s continued commitment to Nigeria.
He said the company’s confidence in Nigeria’s future remained strong, adding that its long-term approach was rooted in its belief in the country’s potential.
Also speaking at the event, Chairperson of the NBC Board, Sola David-Borha, attributed the company’s longevity to the trust it had built over the years through consistency and sound corporate governance.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the special guest of honour, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, congratulated NBC on reaching the milestone and commended the Coca-Cola system for its sustained investments in Nigeria.
Akume said the Federal Government welcomed businesses that were committed to local production, Nigerian talent development, stronger domestic supply chains and community development.
The Managing Director of NBC, Goran Sladic, described the company’s 75-year journey as one of growing alongside Nigeria.
Sladic said NBC was proud of its contribution to creating opportunities, developing human capital, supporting communities and strengthening local value chains.
He added that the company intended to build on its legacy and continue creating value in Nigeria in the years ahead.
The Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola HBC, Zoran Bogdanovic, also reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to the Nigerian market, describing the anniversary as more than a celebration of longevity.
According to him, the milestone represents Coca-Cola HBC’s longstanding relationship with Nigeria, where the company’s story began.
Bogdanovic disclosed that the Coca-Cola system remained committed to its 2024 pledge to invest up to $1 billion in Nigeria over five years, subject to the availability of a predictable and enabling business environment.
He said the commitment was already being implemented through investments aimed at increasing manufacturing capacity at the company’s Asejire Plant in Oyo State and Challawa Plant in Kano State.
As part of activities marking the anniversary, Bogdanovic announced a $1.25 million commitment from the Coca-Cola HBC Foundation to support young Nigerian entrepreneurs over the next three years.
The initiative will focus on helping entrepreneurs establish and sustain businesses within the hospitality and food service sector through business grants, entrepreneurship training, business formalisation support and mentorship.
Bogdanovic said the programme was designed to create additional opportunities for young Nigerians while supporting the long-term development of the country’s hospitality and food service industry.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of The Coca-Cola Company, Henrique Braun, highlighted the longstanding partnership between The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola HBC.
Braun said collaboration between the Coca-Cola system and its bottling partners remained central to creating value in the communities where they operate.
He added that the company’s commitment to Nigeria extended beyond its commercial activities, noting that the Coca-Cola Foundation was separately supporting initiatives aimed at improving access to safe water in Lagos and Abuja.