CSOs demand public access to $2.5bn JBS investment MoU, warn against repeating oil sector mistakes

This investment involves establishing six large-scale industrial animal-farming facilities. The demand was made at a capacity-building workshop in Abeokuta, Ogun State, organized by the Youth in Agroecology and Restoration Network YARN. Oluwaseyi Olayemi, YARN's Director of Consultancy, stated that while the organizations support foreign investment, they seek adequate safeguards for communities and the environment.

He emphasized that public access to the MoU would allow CSOs to scrutinize its terms, identify potential environmental, economic, health, and social risks, and offer recommendations before JBS begins full operations. Olayemi drew a parallel to the mismanagement in Nigeria's oil sector, stressing the need to prevent similar issues with this new investment. He also called for strict enforcement of environmental and agricultural regulations and a review of outdated laws.

Attempts to obtain the document have reportedly resulted in conflicting responses from government authorities, with the Federal Ministry of Livestock referring groups to states, and state officials referring them back to the Federal Government. Basiru Okanlawon, representing Advocacy on Conservation Innovation and Green Initiative Concept, highlighted the