Key Points at a glance
- Food Basket Brewery, owned by BIPC, says it has started full-scale commercial production.
- Products include Zeva Malt, Zeva Premium Beer and BIP Water.
- Sales are scheduled to begin on November 25, 2026.
- BIPC says the brewery will create demand for local crops such as paddy rice, sorghum and cassava.
- Golden Soya Oil is expected to be available for tasting on December 5, 2026.
What BIPC Announced
According to Dr Asemakaha, the brewery’s factory is now producing the three products at commercial scale, and distributors, retailers and consumers should expect to see them on shelves after sales begin on November 25. He thanked Governor Hyacinth Alia for backing efforts to revive the state’s industries and described the start of production as a step towards an economy that creates jobs for young people and promotes locally made goods.
He summed up the aim in his own words: “We are building today for the tomorrow we want.” He said the governor’s support reflected a determination to make Benue a destination for manufacturing and investment.
The “Keep the Money in Benue” Argument
Dr Asemakaha presented the brewery as more than a factory. He said it is part of a plan to keep economic value inside the state by supporting local workers, farmers and distributors. In his account, Benue previously relied mainly on drinks made elsewhere, so money left the state each time people bought them. The brewery, he said, is meant to change that pattern.
He also said production would create steady demand for farm produce, including paddy rice, sorghum and cassava. If that happens, farmers would have a reliable buyer for crops that can otherwise sell cheaply at harvest time.
These are the company’s stated goals. Whether they are met will depend on how much the brewery buys locally and how many people it employs, figures that BIPC has not yet published in detail.
How We Got Here: A Brewery With a Long Backstory
Benue has a long history with brewing. According to a BIPC report, the state’s earlier brewery was first launched in 1982 under the first civilian governor, Aper Aku, and then lay dormant for 42 years. Governor Alia has said the state tried to revive that brewery, which is now managed by Nigerian Breweries, but the effort failed, according to a report on the Zeva launch. The state then set up Food Basket Brewery.
Zeva Premium Lager Beer was launched in Makurdi in December 2024, Blueprint reported. The brewery itself is a state-owned project worth about ₦15 billion, located on the Makurdi–Gboko Road and covering about 1.2 hectares, according to BusinessDay. The same report said Chinese machine manufacturers supervise the equipment and have trained about 40 local youths in maintenance.
Earlier reports also described the recipe. Tribune Online reported that Zeva is made from malt, cassava, sorghum and barley. BusinessDay noted that some raw materials do not grow well in Benue’s temperatures, and that the company said it was working on a way to produce and preserve them locally.
Jobs and Economic Claims
Supporters of the project point to employment. The presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, praised the brewery after a visit by the presidential media team, and Legit.ng reported that the brewery has employed more than 2,000 people since it began operations. That figure comes from official statements, and Daily Talk has not been able to confirm it independently.
Benue lawmakers have also visited. Members of the state House of Assembly toured the brewery, tasted Zeva Malt and praised its quality, according to BIPC. Since BIPC is a state-owned company, readers should keep in mind that these accounts come from government-linked sources.
Dr Asemakaha Responds to Critics
In his announcement, Dr Asemakaha addressed people who have criticised the brewery. He urged customers to judge the products on quality, saying: “Let the quality of Zeva speak for us.” He also challenged critics to set up and run factories that employ Benue citizens, and invited anyone who doubts where Zeva Malt and Zeva Premium Beer are made to visit the facility and see operations first-hand.
The announcement did not say what the criticism consisted of. Daily Talk has not visited the factory and invites BIPC to arrange a media tour. Readers who want to check a product’s regulatory status can look for the registration number that Nigerian food and drug regulators require on packaged goods.
Golden Soya Oil and the Taraku Mills Question
Dr Asemakaha also announced that Golden Soya Oil would be available for tasting on December 5, 2026. In the same remarks, he referred to difficulties at Taraku Mills and called for water and electricity problems affecting the facility to be fixed so that operations can be revived.
Taraku Mills, in Gwer East Local Government Area, has been a major part of the state’s industrial plans. Governor Alia has said he revived the mill after about 40 years of inactivity, the News Agency of Nigeria reported, and that it is undergoing test-running ahead of full operations, according to Legit.ng. The latest comments suggest that basic services remain an obstacle.
Dr Asemakaha said the Alia administration understands the economic damage caused by years of underperformance in the industrial sector and is working to address it through practical steps.
Political Context
The industrial drive is also part of the political conversation in the state. Governor Alia is expected to seek re-election in 2027, and Legit.ng noted that attention on the brewery comes as the ruling party showcases achievements by its governors. Readers can follow the wider political developments in Benue in Daily Talk’s report on the Benue APC campaign list and the row involving Akume’s camp.
Whatever one thinks of the politics, the brewery’s results can be measured on its own terms: how many people it employs, how much produce it buys from Benue farmers, whether its products sell, and whether it pays its way without relying on state funds.
A Note on Responsible Consumption
Zeva Premium Beer is an alcoholic drink and is meant for adults only. When Governor Alia launched the beer, he urged people to drink responsibly, The Guardian reported. Excessive drinking can harm health and safety, and people should never drink and drive. Zeva Malt and BIP Water are non-alcoholic.
What to Watch For
Several things will show whether the launch delivers on its promises:
- November 25: whether sales begin on schedule and where the products appear on shelves.
- Distribution: how widely the products reach beyond Benue State.
- Jobs and sourcing: published figures on employment and local purchases of paddy rice, sorghum and cassava.
- December 5: the public tasting of Golden Soya Oil.
- Taraku Mills: whether water and electricity problems are resolved.
The Bottom Line
Food Basket Brewery says it has moved from launch to full commercial production, with Zeva Malt, Zeva Premium Beer and BIP Water due to go on sale on November 25. The company says the project will keep money in Benue and support local farmers. Those claims are still to be tested in the market, and independent figures on jobs, purchases and finances would help the public judge the results.
Daily Talk will report on the launch and on any further statements from BIPC and the Benue State Government. For news from other parts of the country on job creation and empowerment, read our report on Governor Lawal’s distribution of 300 vehicles and 2,000 motorcycles to Zamfara residents, and see more in Top Stories.
