BAT Nigeria: Sustaining Growth Through Resilience and Local Impact

In the face of persistent inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and chronic infrastructural deficits, Nigeria’s manufacturing sector stands at a crossroads. The terrain is challenging, but within it lies stories of adaptation, resilience, and transformation. British American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria is one such story; a standout example of how strategic foresight, deep local investment, and unwavering commitment to sustainability can anchor long-term industrial success.

This narrative was reinforced by External Affairs Director, BAT West and Central Africa, Odiri Erewa-Meggison, during her presentation at the 2025 BUSINESSDAY Manufacturing Conference themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Manufacturing Potential: Strategies for Sustainable Growth Amidst Economic Turbulence.”

Her address offered insights into BAT’s Nigeria’s journey through decades of Nigeria’s economic cycles, revealing how the company has not only weathered the storms but contributed to reshaping the industrial landscape. With over a century of operating history in Nigeria, BAT has evolved into one of the leading manufacturing entities in Nigeria, commanding a 55 percent domestic shipment share and operating a $185 million state-of-the-art factory in Ibadan, Oyo State. This facility is not only a local manufacturing hub but also a regional export base, supplying products to 11 countries, including the United States. BAT’s operations contribute $110 million annually in foreign exchange earnings, which is no small feat in a time when Nigeria faces acute forex constraints.

Financially, she said that BAT Nigeria has remained a significant contributor to the national economy. Between 2018 and 2023, it paid over ₦415 billion in taxes. But the company’s resilience is not just economic. It is deeply human.

Sixty-seven percent of its senior leadership are Nigerian nationals, while its inclusion score stands at 86%. The company trains over 600 employees annually in leadership, technology, and operations, building internal capacity that fuels external competitiveness.

She emphasized BAT’s deliberate focus on gender equity: 36% of management roles and 38% of senior leadership positions are held by women. For BAT, inclusive leadership is not a box-ticking exercise, but a growth strategy. “Creating a better tomorrow starts with empowering the people who are building it today,” she said.

Sustainability has become a business imperative for BAT Nigeria, not just a corporate buzzword. The company has embedded environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices into its operations. All operational sites are certified zero-waste, and 30 percent of all water used in manufacturing is recycled. She also informed the gathering that the company is also on track to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity in its Nigerian operations by 2030.

Its commitment to health and safety is evident in its zero lost-time incident record since 2021.

In a move to institutionalize sustainable thinking across the public and private sector, BATMN, has partnered with the ESG Forum alongside other organisations. The initiative serves as a knowledge-sharing platform, celebrating companies driving impact and equipping young professionals to take up sustainability-focused careers. According to Erewa-Meggison, sustainability is no longer optional for manufacturers; it is fundamental to long-term relevance and competitiveness.

Odiri also urged manufacturers to look beyond Nigeria’s borders and tap into the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Regional integration, she argued, is a powerful lever for scale, investment, and knowledge exchange. “Africa is your next growth frontier,” she told the audience, emphasizing that businesses that align their models to the AfCFTA framework will be best positioned for future success.

Digitalisation was another key pillar of BAT’s strategy. The company is embedding smart technologies into its operations to improve efficiency, product quality, and decision-making. Data-driven systems, AI-enabled planning, and real-time monitoring are gradually becoming standard practice, signaling a shift toward agile and intelligent manufacturing.

Odiri’s message was both a reflection and a call to action: Nigerian manufacturers must rethink how they build, collaborate, and scale. This includes shaping policy through advocacy, co-developing industrial clusters, and strengthening local supplier ecosystems. The country’s manufacturing sector, she noted, cannot rely on legacy models in an era demanding innovation and resilience.