October 4, 2025-Published by Cyril

Farmers, civil society organisations, and community leaders have raised serious concerns over the Federal Government’s $2.5 billion livestock investment agreement with Brazilian meatpacking giant JBS.

Speaking at the South West Regional Workshop on the Implications of Industrial Animal Farming in Nigeria held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday, the stakeholders urged the government to suspend the deal pending full environmental and social impact assessments.

They argued that the agreement must undergo independent reviews and community consultations, especially with traditional rulers, before it can proceed.

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The Federal Government had signed a letter of intent with JBS S.A., one of the world’s largest meat producers, in November 2024. President Bola Tinubu witnessed the signing ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as part of plans to boost Nigeria’s meat processing sector through the construction of six new factories.

However, several organisations at the workshop described the deal as undemocratic and non-transparent, warning that it could lead to community displacement and environmental damage.

• “Our biggest issue with the MoU is that it’s not democratic and not available in the public space. The process must be made more consultative,” said Sulaimon Arigbabu of the HEDA Resource Centre.

Former President of the Lagos State Catfish and Allied Farmers Association, Sejiro Oke-Tojinu, also faulted the government for excluding key industry players during negotiations.

“Relevant stakeholders were not carried along. The agreement feels imposed,” he said.

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The workshop was organised by the Youth in Agroecology and Restoration Network (YARN) in collaboration with HOMEF, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, HEDA Resource Centre, and World Animal Protection.

In a communiqué issued after the event, participants demanded that the Federal Government:

• Publish the full MoU signed with JBS for public access.
• Conduct independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessments.
• Ensure transparent consultations with affected communities.

They cautioned that failing to do so could trigger future conflicts and erode public trust in government agricultural policies.

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