Civil society groups demand release of JBS $2.5bn MoU with Nigeria and warn of livestock expansion risks

# What happened

A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations has called for the immediate public disclosure of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government and JBS, the global meat-processing company, for a proposed $2.5 billion investment in Nigeria. The demand came out of a three-day coalition meeting where participants passed a resolution urging transparency and wider scrutiny.

# Why the CSOs are asking for disclosure

The coalition said the MoU and any negotiations about the investment were concluded without meaningful consultations with communities that could host processing facilities and related infrastructure. Their concerns fall into several categories:

• Land and livelihoods: Large-scale livestock operations typically require substantial land. The groups warned that expanding industrial livestock production could displace smallholders and change land use patterns.

• Water resources: Intensive livestock and feed production can place heavy demand on local water supplies and affect water quality.

• Smallholder farmers and local markets: The CSOs said insufficient regulation of large corporate entrants can undermine small-scale producers who supply local markets.

• Environmental impacts: Industrial livestock systems can generate pollution and affect ecosystems if not properly regulated and monitored.

# What the CSOs want now

The resolution demands immediate disclosure of the MoU and called for processes that include public consultation, environmental and social impact assessments, and clear regulatory frameworks before any project proceeds. They asked the government to open the document and related plans to independent review and community input.

# Wider context

# Concrete implications for policymakers and communities

• If the MoU proceeds without disclosure and independent assessment, affected communities may lack information to object, negotiate compensation, or propose mitigations.

• Policymakers will need to balance attracting foreign investment with protecting land rights, water resources, smallholder incomes, and environmental standards.

• Regulatory steps that would address the CSOs' concerns include publishing the MoU, holding public hearings in potential host communities, conducting independent environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs), and setting enforceable conditions for any approval.

# Bottom line

The coalition's demand is focused and procedural: make the MoU public, open negotiations to scrutiny, and ensure oversight through consultation and impact assessments. Their stated aim is to prevent unchecked expansion of industrial livestock operations that could harm land access, water resources, local producers and the environment.