Berger Paints Nigeria Plc was incorporated on 9th January 1959 as British Paints (West Africa) Limited.

It commenced business on 15th March 1961 by importing paints from Newcastle Headquarters of British Paints in the United Kingdom. At one time, one of the owners of British Paints (United Kingdom) was Celanese Corporation of the USA, but later divested. Celanese Corporation (USA) showed interest in the running of the British Paints as well as its subsidiaries Worldwide including Berger Paints Nigeria Limited.

During this period, distribution of imported paints by the company, in Nigeria, was done through the outlets of PZ, Brossette and VYB mainly because of their strong distribution network across the country. Local market for paints was gradually developed and this built up the confidence of the expatriate owners to venture into paint manufacturing after critically looking into the potential of Nigerian market.

With the acquisition of 6.5 acres of landed property and construction of a small factory as well as employment of forty Nigerians plus five expatriates, local paint manufacturing commenced in March 1962 at the premises of British Paints (West Africa) on Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja.

This development was phenomenal at that time coming barely two years after Nigeria got her independence from Britain. Thus Nigerian paint market took another turn for the better by this wise investment decision. The success and enviable position of the company was already attracting interest of other investors into the industry.

However in 1969, Berger, Jenson and Nicholson Limited, (UK), acquired British Paints (United Kingdom), which was the parent company of British Paints (West Africa), through an offshore arrangement. Consequently, all its subsidiaries worldwide had to change their names to reflect the new ownership.