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Coca-Cola Nigeria System to Invest N560b in 5 years, Flags off 70th Anniversary

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L-R: Ekuma Eze, Public Affairs & Communications Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd.; Matthieu Seguin, Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd.; Alfred Olajide, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Amaka Onyemelukwe, Public Affairs & Communications Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, at the press briefing held today to flag off activities marking the 70th anniversary of the The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria.
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The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria, comprising Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited and Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd, has flagged off activities marking its 70th anniversary celebration in Nigeria, with commitment to invest N560 billion in five years.

This was announced Thursday at a press briefing with key NBC and Coca-Cola Nigeria executives in attendance.

The Coca-Cola System, through the bottling arm NBC, was incorporated in 1951. Today the Coca-Cola system is a leader in the non-alcoholic category with a rich portfolio of brands and array of options across its product offering.

The system has kept growing with its customers with a stated vision to provide a beverage for every occasion around the clock, while positively impacting the nation and economy.

With 8 manufacturing plants, over 7000 dealers, skilled and dedicated employees, and a sophisticated distribution system across Nigeria, there is practically no community in Nigeria where a cold bottle of Coca-Cola is not within the close reach of consumers.

Commenting on the 70th anniversary milestone, Mathieu Seguin, Managing Director of NBC, said, “As we continued to grow, we have been very deliberate about investing heavily to make a positive impact in the lives of people in communities where we work and operate. We believe that our business is only as sustainable as the communities in which we do business, and this is why we have mainstreamed sustainability into every aspect of our business.

“For perspective, in the last 10 years alone, the Coke System has invested more than 9 billion naira in lifting the living standards of communities where we do business in Nigeria, through locally relevant initiatives.

Some of the areas we have had the most impact have been in education and youth development, women empowerment, water, environmental sustainability, sports and the promotion of commerce and entrepreneurship.”

Seguin went on to share some of the impact and notable accomplishments of the Coca-Cola system over the years. In youth development, the System has trained over 30,000 youths on entrepreneurship and employability skills across different cities in Nigeria in the last 5 years.

Under Education, its Tech Relevant Teacher (TRT) project has impacted 24,000 school pupils, with 648 school leaders and teachers trained and several classrooms blocks constructed or renovated in over 30 public schools in the last 5 years,  impacted over 30,000 students.

With regards to women development, from 2015 to 2019 alone the Coca-Cola 5by20 program impacted over 470,000 women, with 38,000 women supported to start up their own medium, small or micro businesses as Coca-Cola Distributors or Retailers.

The Lady Mechanic Initiative empowered 100 vulnerable young women with vocational, entrepreneurial and life skills, and equipped them to become certified professional automobile mechanics.

Furthermore, the Safe Birth Initiative, a wellbeing programme to support the efforts of the government towards reducing the alarming numbers of deaths by women and new-born babies from birth-related complication has impacted over 12,000 Mothers and Babies since inception.

Speaking also at the event, Alfred Olajide, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Nigeria remarked that, “Anniversaries are an important part of life. They remind us of important events, both personal and cultural.

“This celebration not only gives us an opportunity to look back at the brand’s storied history in Nigeria but is also an opportunity to highlight our plans for the future. This milestone anniversary is a testament to the possibilities and shared opportunities we have created in this great country.

Beyond an anniversary, this is a story of a company building and establishing long-lasting relationships with diverse groups, individuals, and organisations in a bid to ensure a better-shared future; it is years of system investments that have ensured the oiling of this country’s economic gears; it is years of initiatives that have ensured and fostered community resilience in communities seeking our intervention; it is years of instilling hope, open happiness, positive feelings and the magic of community in audiences.”

The 70th anniversary celebration will run all through the remaining part of 2021 with a line-up of activities designed to celebrate the milestone with the Coca-Cola System’s consumers, customers, employees, partners and the general public for their support towards the growth of the business which include the Anniversary Stakeholder Event, consumer seeding/giveback programmes among others.

“In emphasizing our current Real Magic philosophy, we will be kickstarting The Nigerians of Coca-Cola campaign, which will serve to tell a visual story of a diverse set of people across key regions in the country with different struggles and positive histories with Coca-Cola.

“These are people that have directly benefited from The Coca-Cola System’s sustainability initiatives – from our value system to our key programme areas such as women and youth empowerment, waste, wellbeing, and water stewardship.

“Through this activity, we will also highlight the long-term impact these partnerships and initiatives have had on the communities and individuals.

“To share fun and interesting stories about our beverages, we are also launching the My Coke Moments campaign, to encourage customers and stakeholders across demographics to share nostalgic moments and memories with their online network of friends.

“This further demonstrates Coca-Cola’s cultural relativism in Nigeria and showcases the brand’s longevity and love in the country

“We have also planned Share a Trip with Coke which is an activity that will be spreading Real Magic across four key Nigerian cities.

“Coca-Cola branded buses will be on major routes in Lagos, Kano and Port-Harcourt, and lucky customers that get on the buses will be rewarded with free rides and exclusive brand merchandise.

“To cap off the exciting activities, we will close the celebration with a celebratory dinner in November 2021 to delight our varied stakeholders”.

At the event, the Coca-Cola System presented Socio-Economic Impact Report for 2015-2019 which summarises the impact of the system, the value it has contributed to the Nigerian economy and the investments it is making in communities.

According to Mr. Seguin, “since 2007, we have invested $1.7billiion in the country and we will be investing an additional N560 billion or $1b in our operations in Nigeria.

“In the last five years, the Coca-Cola system has also supported the creation of 58,000 jobs along its value chain”.

In closing, Olajide remarked that, “as we prepare for more decades of excellence and enriching moments, I believe that there are opportunities for us to learn more, listen more, and continue to tailor our beverage solutions, to provide our consumers the brands they love at the different phases of their lives, done sustainably for a better shared future.

We will continue to enable economic empowerment for the people who need it most – downstream and upstream of our supply chain to truly uplift future generations.

Our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals are embedded in how we operate as a business – it has been the history and legacy of the business in Nigeria, and our consumers should not expect anything less than the promise of quality, personalization, and the optimism that our beverages inspire.”

Olajide noted that Coca-Cola has always been in the forefront of corporate support for the development of football in Nigeria. Over 10,000 players, from 500 schools and 50 celebrity football coaches have participated in the Copa Coca-Cola programme which has reached the 36 States and the FCT, Abuja since it launched in Nigeria in 2009.

In addition, on January 17, 2018, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited announced its partnership with Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the Official Soft Drink Company and Sponsor of all the Nigeria National Football teams.

The partnership is worth $4 million and will run for five years. Partnerships such as these have brought the FIFA World Cup trophy to Nigeria three times, as part of the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour and have given many consumers the opportunity to travel and watch football tournaments live.

Sustainable manufacturing was also highlighted as an ongoing priority for the System, with a focus on Energy use reduction, Water use reduction, Emissions reduction and World Without Waste through investments made in installations such as Combiner Heat and Power plant, Effluent treatment plants and hybrid solar power installations in its manufacturing plants.

The system also reinforced its global commitment to make all consumer packaging 100% recyclable by 2025 and to enhance the collection of all packaging material by 2030 through its World Without Waste program.

 


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Reps Summon Galaxy Backbone over Alleged Financial, Contract Breaches

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Galaxy Backbone, Nigeria’s information technology and shared service provider, has been given 72 hours to appear before the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) due to multiple claims of financial violations and breaches of existing contract and financial regulations totalling billions of Naira.

Reps Summon Galaxy Backbone over Alleged Financial, Contract Breaches

The committee found Galaxy Backbone guilty of non-remittance of taxes worth N329,845,000 to be paid within the stipulated 21 days and ruled that necessary sanctions should apply.

The committee, headed by Representative Bamidele Salam at its hearing in Abuja, grilled the organisation due to several queries in the Auditor-General’s For the Federation’s 2021 report.

Another issue that came under scrutiny was the payment of N66,799,440 for a contractual obligation without relevant documentation.

The committee requested the organisation to furnish it with details of the transaction within 72 hours.

The committee also uncovered the payment to a company in the United States of America (USA), ST Engineering, which used the same address in terms of street and number in two different states.

The committee observed that there was no evidence of execution of the contract.

Galaxy Backbone was also given another 72 hours to furnish the PAC with all the details of the contractor and all documents as required by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and other regulatory procedures.

The failure by Galaxy Backbone to convincingly explain other violations, such as e-payment violations totalling N12,661,300 in addition to other doubtful payments amounting to N2,433,701.56, as well as a procurement contract of $164,403, further infuriated the committee.

Consequently, Galaxy Backbone was handed another invitation for reappearance to speak on pending issues on Thursday, 27th February, 2025, by 1pm.

The Managing Director of the Galaxy Backbone was represented at the hearing by Mr. Sani Mohammed Ibrahim, executive director, Finance and Corporate Service, along with other key officials of the company.


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Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Partners Willis Capital, WMarket for ‘The Mindset’ Event to Empower Youths

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Ajeromi Ifelodun local government, is set to host the 8th annual “The Mindset with Vice Chairman Lucky Uduikhue”- a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of the local government, aimed at empowering youths with digital skill on February 27, 2025.

This year, the Local Government is partnering with Willis Capital, WMarket and Willis University—Africa’s leading financial powerhouses under Western Sahara Worldwide Services (WSWS).

Hon. Fatai Adekunle Ayoola, executive chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, said: “We are excited to partner with Willis Capital and WMarket to empower our youths with digital skills and innovative thinking. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to promoting digital inclusion and bridging the technology gap in Ajegunle.”

Hon. Lucky Uduikhue, said ‘The Mindset’ is an annual event that aims to empower youths in the community, and this year’s theme is “Powering the Next Generation of Digital Leadership.”

“The event is organized to equip Ajegunle youths with digital skills and innovative thinking, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and job creation among youths, and promoting digital inclusion and bridging the technology gap in Ajegunle.

Dapo Willis, founder, Willis Capital, said that ‘The Mindset’ – a digital transformation event is set to reshape the way young people think about financial freedom, and Willis Capital, WMarket, and Willis University, are bringing the blueprint for success.

“This event challenges the outdated belief that traditional jobs are the only path to success. Instead, it introduces forex trading, digital finance, and wealth-building strategies as the new way forward.

Willis Capital is Africa’s number one proprietary trading firm that gives traders access to funded accounts, allowing them to trade with company capital and share the profits.

WMarket, a top-tier brokerage, provides traders with cutting-edge tools, superior technology, and expert support to thrive in the global markets.

Key speakers at the event includes Hon. Fatai Adekunle Ayoola, executive chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, Hon. Samuel Egube, deputy chief of staff to the Governor of Lagos State, among others.

 


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Hewat, Kuda Ex-Employee Sues Firm over Alleged Sex Discrimination

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Babatunde Ogundeyi, chief executive officer, Kuda
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Rosemary Hewat, former group chief people officer (CPO), Kuda Technologies has dragged the company to a UK court over alleged sex discrimination, victimisation and unfair dismissal.

Hewat, Kuda Ex-Employee Sues Firm over Alleged Sex Discrimination

Babatunde Ogundeyi, chief executive officer, Kuda

Hewat filed a case in UK Employment Tribunal accusing the company of victimization and forced dismissal in April 2024.

Kuda provides digital banking services in Nigeria and UK. In Nigeria, the company owns Kuda Microfinance Bank licensed Bank of Nigeria.

Kuda hired Hewat in August 2021 where she managed global HR operations from Kuda’s UK office.

Based on the court filing, Hewat alleged that she faced discriminatory behavior that contradicted Kuda’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policy.

She also accused Babatunde Ogundeyi, chief executive officer, Kuda, of undermining her and fostering misogyny and intimidation.

In the filing, she alleged that in a retreat in Lagos in December 2023, the CEO called two female employees “low class” and accused them of lacking “quality or luxury.”

She alleged that the comment left the two women in tears.

She further detailed how the company’s action induced financial hardship on her.

She sought compensation for unfair dismissal, sex discrimination, and emotional distress.

This case has led to debate over workplace leadership.

Jurgen Proschinger, CEO, Triangle Forces, said via his X handle @triangleforces, “These allegations highlight critical issues around workplace equality and leadership accountability. Companies need to uphold values that foster an inclusive environment for all employees.

Elaina McAdams, founder, CAUHEC, in her reaction said, “It’s important to address these serious allegations for the integrity of all involved.”

 

 


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