Civil Society Demands Transparency in $2.5 Billion Livestock Investment by JBS in Nigeria

A coalition of civil society organisations, farmers’ groups, pastoralist associations, youth and women’s groups, environmental and animal-welfare organisations has demanded the immediate publication of the full text of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and other agreements underpinning the proposed $2.5 billion livestock investment by Brazilian meat-processing giant, JBS, in Nigeria. The coalition, at a press conference held on Friday, September 24th, raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the deal, urging the Nigerian government to release the details to the public through the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. According to Tribune Online, the groups expressed fears that the investment could lead to a surge in livestock production, resulting in environmental degradation and potential conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. This demand for transparency comes after a similar call by Premium Times, which warned of the risks associated with large-scale livestock expansion in Nigeria. The Nigerian government has yet to respond to these requests.