CSOs Seek Details of JBS $2.5bn Livestock Investment in Nigeria

Nigerian civil society groups are calling for the full disclosure of the agreement between the Federal Government and global meat processor JBS over a proposed 2.5-billion-dollar investment in Nigeria.

The demand followed a three-day workshop held in Abuja from September 22 to 24, involving civil society groups, farmer and pastoralist associations, youth and women’s organisations, and environmental and animal-welfare groups.

JBS and the Nigerian government signed a Memorandum of Understanding in November 2024 for a five-year investment covering six processing plants, including three poultry, two beef and one pork facility. The company has said the project is aimed at increasing local protein production, creating jobs and reducing food imports.

The coalition says key details of the project, including the MoU, financing arrangements, government incentives and proposed environmental assessments, have not been made public. It also raised concerns over reports that Niger State could provide about 1.2 million hectares of land for the project.

The groups are asking the government to publish the agreements and carry out independent environmental and social impact assessments before further land allocation or construction. They also want affected farmers, pastoralists and communities involved in decisions concerning the project.

The coalition said it would continue seeking information through lawful channels and urged the National Assembly and state legislatures to hold public hearings on the investment and its possible environmental, social and economic effects.