Basically three companies are currently battling for control of the beer industry in Nigeria: Heineken, SABMiller and Diageo. With all companies having subsidiaries in Nigeria, the quest for domination got fiercer this year.

In its bid to tap into a $3 billion (N450.9 billion) informal market SABMiller, South Africa’s world brewing giant, had in 2009, bought Pabod Breweries, Port Harcourt, where it now owns 57 percent shares; Voltic Nigeria Limited (Voltic produces tablewater), Lagos, owning 80 percent of the company, and Standard Breweries in Ibadan.

Heineken in response bought Sona, IBBI, Benue, Life and Champion breweries earlier this year and have controlling interests in Nigerian Breweries and Consolidated Breweries.
Heineken’s purchase of Sona Group’s Sona Breweries Plc, Sango Ota, Ogun State; International Beer & Beverages Ind. Ltd., Kaduna State; Champion Breweries Plc, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State; Life Breweries Co. Ltd, Onitsha, Anambra State and Benue Brewery Ltd, Makurdi, Benue State is seen by industry players as a move to strengthen Nigerian Breweries position in the Nigerian beer market and an obvious response to SABMiller’s entry into Nigerian market. ,

http://nairabrains.com/2011/10/beer-war-in-nigeria-who-wins/