President Bola Tinubu has announced that his administration’s renewed focus on driving both local and international investments into the livestock sector will help resolve farmer-herder conflicts and boost economic growth,Daily Trust reports.
Acknowledging the challenges of hunger in Nigeria, the President expressed optimism about the transformative potential of his administration’s efforts in agriculture.
Speaking in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Nigerian Government and JBS S.A.—one of the world’s largest meat processing companies—President Tinubu highlighted the untapped potential of Nigeria’s livestock industry, valued at over $2.5 billion. He emphasized that the partnership offers a modern and peaceful solution to the long-standing clashes between farmers and herders, turning a source of conflict into economic opportunity.
“We are addressing a problem that has caused loss of lives and bloodshed in a humane and civilized way, creating economic opportunities out of a tragic situation,” the President said. “Food security is critical, and while we acknowledge there is hunger now, there is also immense hope. You represent part of that hope.”
He assured JBS executives that Nigeria is open for business and offers promising returns on investment.
Wesley Batista, founder and President of JBS, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting that the company sees great potential in Nigeria as a hub for protein supply across Africa. “We are pleased to work with Nigeria to develop the livestock industry. This collaboration offers a significant opportunity for our business, and we believe Nigeria can become a center of protein supply to many African countries,” Batista said.
Before visiting Brazil, President Tinubu had commissioned a delegation of Nigerian officials and private-sector leaders to leverage the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio and explore opportunities in livestock development, meat processing, and seed production.
The delegation, led by Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Mahia, conducted tours of major Brazilian companies to study their advanced operations and global reach. The team chose JBS S.A. as a strategic partner due to its status as the world’s second-largest meat processor, with the capacity to process 33,000 cattle and over eight million birds daily, using cutting-edge zero-waste technology.
JBS employs over 200,000 people across its subsidiaries in more than 50 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia.
