Farmers, civil society groups, and community leaders have called on the Federal Government to halt the $2.5 billion livestock investment agreement with Brazilian meatpacking giant JBS until comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments are conducted.
The stakeholders made the demand during a South West Regional Workshop on the “Implications of Industrial Animal Farming in Nigeria” in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday. They emphasized the need for mandatory consultations with communities and traditional rulers, as well as full public transparency.
The agreement, signed last year between the Nigerian government and JBS S.A. one of the world’s largest meat processors specializing in beef, poultry, and pork was witnessed by President Bola Tinubu on November 21, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. According to a statement from Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the deal aims to develop Nigeria’s meat processing sector through the construction of six new factories. JBS Global CEO Gilberto Tomazoni described the investment as a means to address food insecurity and drive socioeconomic growth.
However, critics argue the deal was executed without adequate safeguards, potentially leading to community displacement and environmental harm. “Our biggest issue is that it’s undemocratic and not available in the public space.they need to make it accessible and more consultative,” said Sulaimon Arigbabu of HEDA Resource Centre, warning that unresolved concerns could spark future conflicts.
Sejiro Oke-Tojinu, former President of the Lagos State Catfish and Allied Farmers Association of Nigeria, echoed the sentiment, noting that key stakeholders were excluded from the process.
The workshop, organized by the Youth in Agroecology and Restoration Network in partnership with HOMEF, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, HEDA Resource Centre, and World Animal Protection, drew farmers, civil society members, community leaders, government officials, and citizens.
In a post-event communique, participants urged the government to publicly release the full Memorandum of Understanding with JBS for citizen and stakeholder review, describing it as a public document essential for accountability.
