A coalition of stakeholders in Nigeria has expressed concerns over the potential impact of JBS's $2.5 billion industrial animal farming investment in the country, warning that it poses a significant threat to the nation's food sovereignty, environmental sustainability, and the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers.
The group, which includes representatives from Youth in Agroecology and Restoration Network, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, and HEDA Resource Centre, among others, made the call at a sensitization rally held on Thursday in Abeokuta,Ogun State Capital.
Earlier, the group addressed Journalists at the NUJ Secretariat, Iwe- Irohin, Oke-ilewo.
They argued that the project, which involves the establishment of six industrial facilities across multiple states, could lead to the displacement of smallholder farmers, disruption of traditional farming practices, and undermine indigenous food systems and cultural dietary practices.
The activists also expressed concerns over the lack of transparency and community consultation in the project, citing the absence of a comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).
They called on the Federal Government to suspend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with JBS, citing reports of environmental abuses and socio-economic disruption in countries where the company operates.
The group also urged the government to implement strict regulations on multinational food corporations, ensure the inclusion of local farmers and civil society in decision-making processes, and prioritize community-led food systems that promote food sovereignty and sustainability.
According to Olawuyi Seyi, Programme Manager at Youth in Agroecology and Restoration Network, "The proposed JBS investment will require a massive expanse of land, which could lead to one of the largest single land grabs by a corporation in Africa."
He explained that the group are not anti -investment and economic growth but only calling on the Government to implement some steps such as making the Memorandum of Understanding signed with JBS accessible to all Nigerians,a legal frame work to protect the rights of the smallholder farmers,social assessment and the need for government to take precautionary measures before bringing the JBS on the lands of the Communities.
He cited Niger State’s pledge of 1.2 million hectares of land as a massive land grab,noting that evidence suggests much of the production will be exported rather than serve Nigeria’s food needs.
He warned that JBS has been repeatedly linked to environmental scandals globally, including Amazon deforestation, labour abuses, tax evasion, and over 70 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
“This project appears extractive in nature and risks replicating colonial patterns of resource exploitation.
“Ogun State has been marked as a key investment hub due to its location and infrastructure, a corporate-controlled food system will endanger Nigeria’s food sovereignty and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers who currently supply 70% of the country’s food.
“There is no publicly available Environmental and Social Impact Assessment or evidence of thorough community consultations for such a massive project. Industrial animal farming is incompatible with Nigeria’s traditional food systems".
Joyce Brown, Director of Programmes at HOMEF, added that industrial animal farming is "fundamentally incompatible with Nigeria's traditional food systems, and its adoption would represent a significant threat to food sovereignty, farmer autonomy, and democratic control over food choices."
Members of the coalition later embarked on a Protest March and awareness campaign round Abeokuta metropolis.
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