A coalition of civil society organisations has raised strong objections to the proposed $2.5 billion industrial animal farming project by global meat giant, JBS, warning that the initiative could undermine Nigeria’s food sovereignty, threaten the environment, and displace millions of small holder farmers.
The coalition — comprising Youth in Agroecology and Restoration Network (YARN), Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, HEDA Resource Centre, and several others — made their position known during a sensitisation rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday. The group had earlier addressed journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Iwe-Irohin, Oke-Ilewo.
The activists cautioned that the project, which proposes the establishment of six large-scale industrial livestock facilities across several states, could disrupt traditional farming systems, weaken indigenous food cultures, and put immense pressure on land and water resources.
They also faulted what they described as the “opacity” surrounding the investment, noting the absence of a publicly available Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and inadequate consultation with host communities.
The coalition demanded that the Federal Government suspend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with JBS, citing global reports associating the firm with environmental violations, labour abuses, tax issues, and high carbon emissions.
Olawuyi Seyi, Programme Manager at YARN, warned that the scale of land acquisition required for the project could result in “one of the largest corporate land grabs in Africa.”
“We are not opposed to investment or economic development,” he said. “However, the MoU with JBS must be made public, and there must be a clear legal framework protecting the rights of smallholder farmers. Government must conduct a thorough social and environmental assessment and take precautionary measures before allocating community land.”
He expressed particular concern over Niger State’s reported pledge of 1.2 million hectares of land for the project, noting that available evidence suggests a significant portion of production may be exported rather than addressing Nigeria’s food needs.
Seyi added that JBS has a troubling track record globally, including links to Amazon deforestation and substantial greenhouse gas emissions. He warned that replicating such a model in Nigeria could entrench a “corporate-controlled food system” at the expense of local farmers who currently produce about 70% of the nation’s food.
Also speaking, Joyce Brown, Director of Programmes at HOMEF, described industrial animal farming as “fundamentally incompatible with Nigeria’s traditional food systems,” insisting that its adoption would weaken farmer autonomy and reduce democratic control over food choices.
Following the press briefing, members of the coalition held a protest march and public awareness campaign across major streets in Abeokuta, calling for a more transparent, community-driven approach to agricultural development.
