Fidelity Bank Surpasses SABMiller as Top Corporate Taxpayer in Anambra State

Fidelity Bank Plc has emerged ahead of SABMiller Breweries in Anambra State’s corporate taxpayer rankings for the 2023 and 2024 fiscal periods, according to verified records released by the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS).

In an official statement issued on Thursday, AIRS Chairman Dr. Greg Ezeilo dismissed public claims made by former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that SABMiller is the state’s highest taxpayer.

Contrary to that assertion, AIRS stated that a review of tax data for 2023 and 2024 placed SABMiller in sixth position, behind Fidelity Bank Plc, which reported a total gross tax payment of ₦656.5 million over the two-year period.

The agency emphasized that its analysis excluded federal institutions but included corporate bodies directly contributing to Anambra State’s IGR.

“The company in question contributed on average ₦28 million per month in 2023 and ₦26.62 million per month in 2024,” the statement read. “This clearly places SABMiller in a distant sixth position behind Fidelity Bank.”

The AIRS noted that the clarification was necessary to dispel public misinformation and to provide accurate insight into the state’s corporate tax structure.

Dr. Ezeilo reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency and emphasized that Anambra’s revenue mobilisation has significantly improved in recent years.

Monthly IGR collections have risen from historical levels of ₦1.5 billion to ₦2 billion to a current range of ₦4 billion with a record peak of ₦10.5 billion in May 2025.

The bank’s performance underscores the role of financial institutions in supporting sub-national revenue generation through structured remittances and adherence to tax regulations.

The development also reinforces the call for accurate data referencing in public discourse, particularly in matters relating to economic performance and fiscal accountability.

The revenue agency advised stakeholders and the general public to rely on verified data from authorized institutions when making claims regarding tax contributions.

Fidelity Bank’s consistent tax remittance further reflects its broader institutional standing, following its recent capital raising initiatives and strong 2024 financial results.

The bank continues to maintain a solid footprint in Nigeria’s financial services industry with a focus on retail growth, digital innovation, and stakeholder value delivery.