A coalition of agricultural experts, researchers, and civil society groups is urging the Nigerian government to disclose the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Brazilian meat producer JBS. The group warns that keeping the details of this $2.5 billion investment secret could trigger significant future resource crises.
The agreement, established in November 2024 with President Bola Tinubu present in Brazil, involves the construction of six meat processing facilities. While stakeholders expressed interest in foreign capital, they voiced apprehension regarding potential impacts on public health, the environment, and the survival of small-scale farmers. These concerns were raised during a regional workshop in Abeokuta, Ogun State, focused on sustainable food systems.
Oluwaseyi Olawuyi, a representative of the Youths in Agroecology and Restoration Network, emphasized the necessity of thorough environmental and social impact assessments. He criticized the current lack of transparency, noting that both federal and state officials have provided conflicting information about where the document is kept, likening the situation to a confusing puzzle.
The group drew parallels to Nigeria’s oil sector, urging the government to avoid repeating past mistakes by ensuring oversight before operations commence. Dare Elujulo, another YARN director, highlighted the risks of intensive animal farming, including the spread of zoonotic diseases and the threat of antimicrobial resistance. The attendees concluded the workshop by demanding that authorities prioritize community-led, climate-resilient agricultural models over large-scale industrial farming, while explicitly calling for the full public release of the JBS contract.
