A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations has called for the immediate disclosure of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigerian government and JBS, the world's largest meat-processing company, regarding a proposed $2.5 billion investment in Nigeria. The demand was made at a three-day coalition workshop in Abuja, which focused on the expansion of industrial livestock production in Nigeria. The workshop was attended by various groups, including farmer associations, pastoralist groups, youth and women's organisations, and environmental and animal-welfare organisations.
The proposed investment, announced in November 2024, involves a five-year plan to develop six meat-processing facilities - three poultry, two beef, and one pork plant. JBS Global CEO, Gilberto Tomazoni, stated that the company's goal is to establish a strong partnership with Nigeria to address food insecurity and promote socio-economic progress. The Nigerian government has agreed to provide the necessary economic, sanitary, and regulatory conditions for the project. The investment is expected to expand domestic protein production, reduce imports, create jobs, and support small-scale farmers.
However, environmental and civil society groups have expressed concerns over the lack of publicly available information about the project, particularly regarding land allocation and potential social and environmental consequences. Niger State officials have reportedly offered 1.2 million hectares of land for the project, but details of the proposed land allocation and specific terms of the investment remain unclear. The coalition has raised concerns about the potential environmental pressures, including animal waste, groundwater contamination, air pollution, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The coalition has also questioned the absence of meaningful consultation with communities that could host the proposed facilities. They argue that decisions on Nigeria's food production must be taken in the open, with the informed participation of farmers, pastoralists, and communities whose land, water, and livelihoods are at stake. The groups have called on the Federal Government to publish the full JBS MoU and all related contracts, partnership frameworks, financing terms, and government incentives.
The coalition has demanded disclosure of the beneficial ownership of private investment vehicles involved in the project and independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) covering cumulative impacts on land, water, and ecosystems. They have also called for meaningful participation and free, prior, and informed consent of affected communities. The groups argue that Nigeria should strengthen existing pastoralist, smallholder farming, traditional poultry, and agroecological systems rather than focusing disproportionately on industrial livestock production.
The coalition cited JBS's operations and expansion in Australia as a case study that Nigeria should examine before proceeding with the proposed investment. They have urged the Federal Government to ensure coordination among ministries and agencies responsible for livestock, agriculture, environment, water, land, finance, labour, and justice in decisions concerning the investment. The coalition has also called on the National Assembly and state legislatures to hold public hearings on the JBS-Nigeria agreement and implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan and the Nigeria Livestock Master Plan 2026–2040.
The groups have pledged to continue pursuing information through Freedom of Information requests and other lawful channels while undertaking joint investigations into the proposed investment. They will examine the commitments contained in the MoU, environmental and social safeguards, ownership and financial interests behind the investment, and the condition of Nigeria's food and seed systems. The coalition has also pledged to promote agroecological and farmer-led food systems, indigenous knowledge, and local seed systems.
Key points
- The Nigerian government and JBS must disclose the terms of their $2.5 billion investment deal to address concerns over environmental and social impacts.
- Civil society groups are calling for transparency and meaningful consultation with communities that could host the proposed meat-processing facilities.
- The proposed investment has raised concerns over the potential environmental pressures and impacts on Nigeria's food systems.
