Benue State has unveiled ZEVA Premium Lager Beer, marking its re-entry into the brewing industry after a 42-year hiatus. The state-owned brewery, operated by Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), aims to capture a significant portion of the state’s substantial beer market, estimated at ₦850-870 million monthly and reaching up to ₦1 billion during festive seasons.
Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia launched the beer at Ibrahim Babangida Square in Makurdi, reviving a legacy that began with the state’s first brewery established in 1982 by former Governor Aper Aku. The new brewing facility boasts a daily production capacity of 180,000 bottles and will primarily use locally sourced sorghum and cassava as raw materials.
BIPC Managing Director Dr. Raymond Asemakaha revealed that the initiative aims to retain over 70% of beer-related revenue within the state. The company has already created 400 jobs through various business units and plans to generate 10,000 additional employment opportunities by the end of 2025.
The launch represents a significant milestone in Benue State’s industrialization efforts, with BIPC committing to establish new businesses quarterly. Governor Alia urged residents to support the local brand and called on farmers to seize the opportunity by cultivating the necessary raw materials for production.
Prof. Barnabas Achakpaikyo, Director of the Center for Food Technology and Research at Benue State University and lead consultant for the ZEVA beer recipe, endorsed the initiative as a significant step toward economic transformation in the region.
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