The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) has commissioned three new production lines at its Asejire plant in Oyo State and Challawa plant in Kano State, reaffirming the Coca-Cola System’s planned $1 billion investment in Nigeria over the next five years.
The newly inaugurated facilities—two production lines in Asejire and one in Challawa—were officially unveiled at a ceremony attended by the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh.
Equipped with advanced bottling technology, the new lines are expected to boost NBC’s manufacturing capacity, improve production efficiency and expand its footprint across the country.
Speaking during the inauguration, NBC Managing Director, Goran Sladic, said the investment reflects the company’s unwavering confidence in Nigeria, where it has operated for 75 years.
“We have continued to invest in people, infrastructure, manufacturing and communities across the country. These new production lines demonstrate our confidence in Nigeria and our commitment to remaining part of the country’s future,” Sladic said.
He explained that the expansion is the first phase of a nationwide programme that will add more production capacity across NBC’s plants before the end of 2026.
According to him, the latest investment builds on more than $1.5 billion already invested in NBC’s Nigerian operations over the past decade and forms part of the Coca-Cola System’s broader $1 billion investment plan announced in 2024.
NBC also highlighted findings from a 2024 socio-economic study by consulting firm Steward Redqueen, which showed that the Coca-Cola System generated $1 billion in value-added economic activity and supported more than 160,000 livelihoods across its value chain in Nigeria.
The report further revealed that the company sourced $601 million worth of goods and services from Nigerian suppliers in 2024, reinforcing its contribution to local businesses and supply chains.
In his remarks, Senator Enoh described NBC’s 75-year presence in Nigeria as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s economy.
He said that when an established company expands its production capacity, strengthens local supply chains and creates more opportunities for Nigerians, it contributes meaningfully to the nation’s industrial growth.
To commemorate its 75th anniversary, NBC also unveiled a limited-edition product label celebrating seven and a half decades of operations in Nigeria.
