Farmers, CSOs task Nigerian govt on transparency over $2.5bn livestock deal

Farmers, researchers, scientists, and civil society organizations have urged the Nigerian government to disclose the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Brazilian meat giant JBS for a $2.5 billion investment in the country's livestock sector. The stakeholders expressed concerns over the deal's potential implications on health, the environment, social economy, and smallholder livelihoods during a workshop in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The MoU, signed in November 2024, includes the construction of six new meat factories and aims to develop Nigeria's meat processing sector. During the workshop, Olawuyi, Director of Consultantancy, Youths in Agroecology and Restoration Network, YARN, emphasized the need for comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments, along with transparent public scrutiny, before the investment's execution.

Olawuyi also highlighted the negative consequences of industrial animal farming, which involves confining large numbers of animals for profit. The workshop participants called for public disclosure of the MoU and prioritization of public investment in agroecological, community-led, climate-resilient, and diversified food systems over industrial animal farming.