By: Lanre Shodimu
Participants at a multi-stakeholder roundtable in Minna, Niger State, have urged the Federal Government to release details of its agreement with Brazilian meat processing company JBS, warning of potential environmental, health and socioeconomic consequences of large-scale industrial animal farming in Nigeria.
Stakeholders across Nigeria’s livestock and animal farming value chain have called on the Federal Government to make public the details of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Brazilian meat processing giant, JBS S.A., over a proposed $2.5 billion investment in the country’s livestock industry.
The call was one of the key resolutions reached at the Northern Regional Multi-Stakeholder Roundtable on the Implications of Industrial Animal Farming in Nigeria, held in Minna, Niger State. The gathering brought together representatives of government ministries, civil society organisations, agricultural experts, smallholder farmers, pastoralists and community leaders.
Organised by the Youth in Agroecology and Restoration Network (YARN), the forum examined the potential impact of the proposed investment, which reportedly involves the establishment of six large-scale industrial livestock facilities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Participants expressed concern that despite the scale of the project and its potential effects on millions of Nigerians, the contents of the agreement remain inaccessible to the public.
Speaking at the event, YARN Programme Manager, Seyi Olawuyi, said stakeholders were increasingly worried about the implications of the deal on food sovereignty, environmental sustainability and public health.
According to him, the proposed investment would receive extensive economic, sanitary and regulatory support from the Federal Government, making it imperative for citizens and host communities to understand the terms and conditions guiding its implementation.
“The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Federal Government and JBS S.A. remains shielded from public scrutiny, depriving citizens and host communities of their right to information regarding a project of this scale,” the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting stated.
The stakeholders further noted that Nigeria currently lacks sufficiently robust legal and regulatory frameworks to effectively monitor and regulate multinational industrial livestock operations. They warned that without adequate safeguards, the project could expose communities to environmental degradation and social dislocation.
Particular concerns were raised about the acquisition of large tracts of land for the proposed facilities. Participants warned that such acquisitions could lead to the displacement of smallholder farmers and pastoralists, especially in Niger State, which is considered a likely frontline location for implementation.
Environmental experts at the roundtable highlighted the risks associated with intensive poultry, beef and pork production systems, including groundwater contamination, air pollution and increased greenhouse gas emissions. They cautioned that large-scale factory farming could undermine ongoing efforts to promote climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.
Public health implications also featured prominently in discussions. Stakeholders warned that concentrated animal feeding operations have historically been associated with heightened risks of zoonotic disease outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance arising from excessive antibiotic use in livestock production.
Beyond environmental and health concerns, participants argued that industrial animal farming could weaken indigenous food systems, marginalise rural producers and threaten the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians who depend on traditional livestock farming.
Consequently, the forum urged the Federal Government and the Niger State Ministry of Livestock Development to immediately declassify and publish the full text of the agreement with JBS.
“The Federal Government and the Niger State Ministry of Livestock Development must declassify, publish and make publicly accessible the complete text of the MoU signed with JBS to allow for democratic, community-led scrutiny,” the communiqué stated.
While acknowledging the importance of attracting investment into agriculture, Olawuyi stressed that industrial animal farming presents complex challenges that require careful consideration.
He noted that issues relating to public health, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, labour rights and socioeconomic equity must be addressed to ensure that agricultural development does not come at the expense of communities and ecosystems.
As debate continues over the proposed partnership, stakeholders insist that transparency, public participation and strong regulatory oversight will be critical to ensuring that any investment in Nigeria’s livestock sector delivers broad-based benefits while protecting people, livelihoods and the environment.
