By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
NIGERIA’s LIVESTOCK sector is set for a transformative boost as the government signed a $2.5 billion investment deal with JBS S.A, the world’s second-largest meat processing company.
This landmark agreement aims to address farmer-herder conflicts, enhance food security, and create economic opportunities.
The partnership, formalised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, outlines a five-year plan for building six new factories: three for poultry, two for beef, and one for pork.
These facilities will adopt advanced zero-waste processing techniques, positioning Nigeria as a major protein supplier across Africa.
President Bola Tinubu highlighted the project’s significance, stating, “We are transforming tragedy into opportunity, resolving farmer-herder clashes, and unlocking economic growth.”
He assured JBS of favourable investment conditions, adding that the collaboration would address hunger while fostering prosperity.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muhktar Mahia, reported that the Nigerian delegation extensively studied Brazil’s livestock systems, identifying JBS as a partner due to its advanced technology and global reach.
JBS processes 33,000 cattle daily and employs over 200,000 people worldwide.
JBS President Wesley Batista expressed eagerness to begin operations, seeing Nigeria as a strategic hub for protein supply in Africa.
“Nigeria has the potential to lead the continent’s protein market, and we’re ready to work together,” Batista said.
As part of the agreement, Nigeria will ensure regulatory support and an enabling business environment for the project’s success.
This initiative comes on the heels of President Tinubu’s directive for officials to leverage insights from the G20 Summit in Brazil to advance livestock reforms.
Delegates that accompanied the President included Agriculture Minister Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Presidential Livestock Reform Committee Co-Chair, Professor Attahiru Jega, and NIPC CEO Aisha Rimi.
The President noted that this partnership affirms his administration’s vision to modernize agriculture, mitigate conflicts, and stimulate economic growth through sustainable practices.
