Farmers, civil society organisations, and community leaders have called on the Federal Government to halt the implementation of its $2.5 billion livestock investment agreement with Brazilian meat giant, JBS.
At the South West Regional Workshop on the “Implications of Industrial Animal Farming in Nigeria” held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday, the stakeholders argued that the deal should not proceed until a full and independent environmental and social impact assessment is conducted. Punchng reported.
They also demanded open community consultations with traditional rulers and transparent public review of the project before execution.
Last year, the Federal Government signed a letter of intent with JBS S.A, one of the world’s largest meat processing companies, for investment in Nigeria’s livestock sector.
JBS, a Brazilian multinational corporation known for beef, poultry, and pork production, operates across several countries.
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According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu witnessed the signing ceremony on November 21, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The agreement includes plans to build six new meat factories across Nigeria, with the government stating that the goal is to boost the country’s meat processing capacity.
JBS Global Chief Executive Officer, Gilberto Tomazoni, explained that beyond infrastructure, the company aims to help address food insecurity and drive socioeconomic growth.
However, not everyone is convinced.
Stakeholders at the workshop described the deal as undemocratic, saying it lacks oversight, transparency, and adequate impact assessments.
They warned that the investment could lead to community displacement if these gaps remain unaddressed.
Organised by the Youth in Agroecology and Restoration Network, in collaboration with HOMEF, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, HEDA Resource Centre, and World Animal Protection, the event drew participants from across civil society, farming communities, and government agencies.
“Our biggest issue with the MoU at this stage is that it’s not democratic, it’s not available in the public space. They need to make it available and make their process more consultative,” said Sulaimon Arigbabu of the HEDA Resource Centre.
He added that the lack of transparency could spark conflict if not resolved soon.
Similarly, Sejiro Oke-Tojinu, former President of the Lagos State Catfish and Allied Farmers Association of Nigeria, noted that major stakeholders were not involved in the signing of the MoU.
In a communique issued at the end of the workshop, participants urged the Federal Government “to publish and make publicly accessible the complete Memorandum of Understanding signed with JBS, allowing for proper scrutiny by citizens, civil society, and stakeholders, as this is a public document that belongs in the public domain.”
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Image Credit: ocj.com
