President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s livestock sector, emphasizing its potential to end farmer-herder clashes, eradicate hunger and poverty, and drive economic prosperity. Speaking in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday, during the signing of a Letter of Intent with JBS S.A., one of the world’s largest meat processing companies, Tinubu outlined the transformative vision for Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
“What we are doing right now is solving a problem that has afflicted humanity in that part of Africa. Clashes between farmers and migrating cows have caused life and bloodshed when there is a modern, civilized way to solve those problems and even bring a successful economy out of it,” Tinubu said.
Turning Crisis into Opportunity
President Tinubu described the partnership with JBS S.A. as a means to turn tragedy and hopelessness into economic opportunity, leveraging Nigeria’s $2.5 billion livestock investment potential. He invited the company to explore Nigeria’s abundant resources and large population, assuring JBS S.A. of profitable returns on its investment.
“Food security is extremely important. As we talk right now, there is hunger. However, there is huge hope. And you are one of those hopes that we are looking at,” Tinubu told JBS executives.
Building Partnerships and Technology Transfers
Ahead of his visit to Brazil, Tinubu commissioned a Nigerian delegation comprising government officials and private sector players to study livestock development in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The team, led by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muhktar Mahia, identified JBS S.A. as an ideal partner due to its advanced technology, zero-waste practices, and capacity to process 33,000 cattle and eight million birds daily.
The delegation’s findings underscored JBS S.A.’s global reach, employing over 200,000 workers across operations in more than 50 countries, including the United States, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. The company’s founder and CEO, Wesley Batista, expressed optimism about entering the Nigerian market.
“We think it’s a good opportunity for our business in Nigeria and Africa. We believe Nigeria can be the center of supply of protein to many countries in Africa. We look forward to working with you and hope to be in Nigeria as soon as possible,” Batista said.
Strengthening Food Security and Economic Prosperity
The agreement marks a pivotal step in Nigeria’s efforts to modernize its livestock sector, enhance food security, and position the country as a hub for protein supply across Africa. The delegation also included key stakeholders such as Professor Attahiru Jega, Co-chairman of the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee, and Aisha Rimi, CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council.
President Tinubu’s vision reflects a broader strategy to foster international partnerships, modernize agricultural practices, and deliver sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.