News
Nigerians Consumed N2.18 Trillion Worth of Alcohol in 2022

Nigerians consumed alcohol worth about N2.18 trillion in 2022, according to a report titled the {Nigerian Alcoholic Beverages Industry Report, 2022”.
This represents 13.3 per cent of the country’s entire budget in that year.
According to technext24.com, driving this growth are online alcohol vendors like drinks.ng and naijaliquor.com.
These startups have focused on digitally connecting buyers and sellers in the alcohol industry by exploring an alcohol-focused vendor platform model.
They also include Trade Depot’s Shop-Top-Up, Seta, Vendease, MyMiniBar, MyLiquorhub, Cubed-by-Drinks, and BarrelsDotNg, etc.
Per the report, the activities of these digital distributors saw them record impressive growth numbers, with nearly 200 per cent value growth recorded in the beer distribution segment.
This impressive growth number details the value these online vendors are bringing into the alcohol distribution and e-commerce space.
“These are newer players in the industry who have brought in significant capital, technology capacity and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options into wines and spirits redistribution, targeting retailers, lounges and clubs, and even wholesalers,” the reports stated.
Online alcohol vendors record growth as Nigerians consumed N2.18t worth of alcohol in 2022
One of the new alcohol distribution startups makes use of a purchasing history credit-rating approach for its BNPL offering rather than the typical banking history approach, as technext24.com reported.
Others like Shop-Top-Up and Cubed-by-Drinks, use an in-house developed order-aggregation algorithm to optimally service customers.
These new online players, due to their nature as tech startups, have been able to attract foreign funding to the tune of over N500 billion into the alcoholic beverage industry in Nigeria within the last 2 years. This further validates the growth opportunities within the industry.
More on alcohol consumption in Nigeria 2022
In light of the uncertainty that came with election preparations, Naira notes revamp, and insecurity issues that rocked 2022 and severely hampered spending power, one would expect the overall spending on liquor to suffer a decline. However, this industry has recorded consistent overall year-on-year value growth.
As earlier mentioned, the sector raked in a revenue of N2.18 trillion. Breaking it down to the number of alcohol consumed in 2022, the report noted that if the liquor consumed in Nigeria last year was shared equally amongst ALL Nigerians, each person would have had 16 bottles.
Compared to previous years, it is plain to see that the sector has witnessed tremendous growth year-over-year. In 2018, the total revenue accrued by the industry was $2.86 billion. 2019 witnessed a 10.1 per cent increase as total revenue rose to $3.15 billion.
Online alcohol vendors record growth as Nigerians consumed N2.18t worth of alcohol in 2022
2020 witnessed a slowdown in revenue growth possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic that saw lockdown measures put in place across the world. That notwithstanding, the industry still witnessed a 3.1 per cent increase to record a revenue of $3.25 billion.
2021 came with an explosion in revenue for the industry as Nigerians proceeded to drink $4.47 billion worth of alcohol. This represents a whopping 37.5 per cent increase from the previous year. And the growth didn’t slow down in the following year as revenue from alcohol rose to $5.29 billion. This is an 18.4 per cent increase from the preceding year.
Put in proper context, the industry (18.4%) recorded more growth than salt and spices (3.42%), milk (9.58%), cereals (9.94%), and bread (0.48%). The report explained that the range of offerings and budget-friendly products available in the alcohol space are major drivers of this growth recorded year over year.
Online alcohol vendors record growth as Nigerians consumed N2.18t worth of alcohol in 2022
“The Nigerian alcohol industry is resilient and adaptable, offering a wide range of products to suit all budgets. From premium whiskeys and champagnes to affordable sachet bitters, PET-bottle gins, and local brews, there is something for everyone,” the report reads.
Going forward
Beer is the most popular alcohol category and responsible for 54 per cent of total consumed value. While revenue continues to increase, it seems the local breweries are operating at a loss. Nigeria’s largest brewery and makers of the more popular Nigerian beer brands, Nigerian Breweries announced a N67 billion loss before tax in the first half of 2023. This was despite recording a 1.27 per cent growth in revenue.
The foremost brewer attributed this decline to the effect of fuel subsidy removal on consumers, naira devaluation and its effect on input cost, and mostly the revaluation of foreign exchange obligations. These factors are expected to impact alcohol consumption in 2023.
The report is however optimistic that online alcohol vendors, with their unique selling propositions like cash backs, and their inclusion of buy now pay later (BNPL) models in their operations, will become major drivers in the space.
Credit: technext24.com
News
JAMB Accuses Student of Securing Admission through Identity Fraud

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has accused a 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidate of manipulating his identity and engaging in online blackmail.
Fabian Benjamin, head of public affairs, JAMB, issued a statement on the matter on Thursday.
He said one Chinedu Okeke, currently a 400-level Medicine and Surgery student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), gained admission in 2021 while claiming to be from Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos state.
JAMB said Okeke’s national identification number (NIN) records from 2021 confirm his Lagos origin.
The board stated it does not alter candidate information provided through NIN.
The board, however, said the 400-level student, who is facing potential challenges for incorrect credentials, is now claiming that it retrieved the wrong details for him from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in 2021.
“[This] is unequivocally false, aimed at fabricating a defence for his case,” Benjamin said.
“The evidence suggests that Chinedu altered his records as filled in 2021 before registering for the 2025 UTME, a fact confirmed by even his advocates.”
The board questioned why a 400-level medical student would seek to study mechanical engineering in 2025, especially with “inconsistencies in his claims.”
JAMB alleged that Okeke “took advantage” of Lagos state’s quota in 2021, thereby obstructing the admission opportunities for other deserving candidates from the state.
It added that he then “attempted to manipulate his details with the NIMC” to unjustly claim representation from Anambra state in 2025.
The board criticised “online advocates” for “actively reaching out to Chinedu’s parents to extract emotional narratives rather than factual clarifications, neglecting to seek information directly from the university.”
JAMB affirmed its commitment to maintaining accurate records and preventing candidates from exploiting loopholes.
It warned that if UNN confirms any inconsistencies, it would notify the Medical and Dental Council to consider delisting Okeke.
“When a nation trivialises illegalities, it breeds a future fraught with potential criminality,” Benjamin’s statement concluded.
News
Check Point Report Finds Africa as Top Target for Cyber-attacks

Africa has become the most targeted region globally for cyber-attacks in the first quarter of 2025, according to new research from Check Point Software Technologies. The company’s Q1 2025 Global Cyber Attack Report reveals a steep rise in malicious activity as the continent continues to accelerate its Digital transformation.
Ethiopia emerged as the most targeted country in Africa during the reporting period. FakeUpdates ranked as the most common malware, while 80% of malicious files across the continent were delivered via e-mail. In contrast, 62% of threats in SA were distributed via the web.
On average, organisations in Africa faced 3 325 cyber-attacks per week – a staggering 72% above the global average of 1 938 attacks per organisation.
Check Point Software unpacked the findings at a media roundtable in Johannesburg. Eli Smadja, global research group manager at Check Point, provided a detailed overview of Africa’s evolving cyber threat landscape, which he said is increasingly defined by AI-powered threats, ransomware, infostealers, edge device vulnerabilities and cloud-based risks.
Among the most concerning developments was the discovery of a previously undocumented multi-stage backdoor, dubbed Stealth Soldier, currently being deployed in cyber operations targeting North African government entities. The malware forms part of a broader command-and-control infrastructure used in spear-phishing campaigns.
Smadja noted a growing trend in malware designed to bypass AI detection systems.
“These aren’t aimed at advanced large language models (LLMs), but rather at lower-level ones,” he said. “It’s about LLM evasion – fooling the AI and manipulating prompts.”
Despite the increasing use of AI in cyber security, Smadja cautioned against over-reliance on AI-driven defence systems. “AI still requires human prompting.”
Check Point is advocating for a zero trust model and a holistic, automated and consolidated approach to cyber security. This includes centralised threat visibility and simplified controls to protect against ransomware, phishing, data theft and vulnerabilities at the edge.
“Just having something at the perimeter isn’t enough,” Smadja said. “Cyber-attacks are not just targeting PCs or servers anymore. For instance, we’ve seen state-sponsored attacks aimed at fuel pumps to disrupt national supply chains.”
He highlighted the importance of understanding external risk – threats originating outside the organisation – especially as AI-driven ransomware and attacks on third-party service providers continue to rise.
“Printers, for example, are a major attack vector,” he added. “They’re often network-connected, and threat actors can exploit them to gain broader access.”
Credentials, Smadja noted, are also a lucrative commodity on the dark web, often selling for around $500.
News
FG Appeals to U.S. Over Single-Entry Visa Rule for Nigerian Travelers

Federal Government has urged the United States to reconsider its revised visa reciprocity policy, which now limits Nigerian non-immigrant visas to single-entry, three-month validity.
In a statement released today by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Federal government expressed concern over the U.S. decision amidst partnership, cooperation and shared global responsibilities by both countries.
“The attention of the government has been drawn to the recent decision by the U.S. to revise its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens, limiting the validity of non-immigrant visas, including B1/B2, F and J categories, to three months with a single entry.
Government views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries.
The decision appears misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity and mutual respect that should guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations.
Nigeria notes this restriction places a disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers, students seeking academic opportunities, professionals engaging in legitimate business, families visiting loved ones, and individuals contributing to cultural and educational exchanges.
Nigeria respectfully urges the U.S. to reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation and shared global responsibilities, while acknowledging the sovereign right of every country to determine its immigration policies,” the government said.
The government said diplomatic engagements are ongoing and that the ministry would remain committed to pursuing a resolution that reflects fairness and upholds the values of mutual interest.
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria had on Tuesday, July 8, announced the new policy. The embassy however mentioned that all U.S. non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their original status and validity.
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