President Bola Tinubu has announced plans to partner with JBS S.A, a leading Brazilian meat processing company, to develop Nigeria’s livestock industry.
In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said, “This partnership is a significant step towards achieving our goal of transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry into a major driver of economic growth and development. We are committed to diversifying our economy and promoting sustainable development, and this partnership is a key part of that effort.”
According to President Tinubu, the partnership will not only end the crisis of farmer-herder clashes but also eradicate hunger and poverty in Nigeria, while promoting economic prosperity.
“We are solving a problem that afflicted humanity in that part of Africa, clashes between farmers and migrating cows that have caused some life and bloodshed when there is a modern, civilized way to solve those problems and even bring a successful economy out of it,” President Tinubu said.
The President called on JBS S.A to tap into the $2.5 billion livestock investment opportunities in Nigeria, leveraging the country’s huge population and the company’s globally recognized expertise in guaranteeing food security.
JBS S.A founder and President, Wesley Batista, expressed his company’s enthusiasm for working with Nigeria to develop the livestock industry.
“We think it’s a good opportunity for our business in Nigeria and Africa, as we believe Nigeria can be the center of supply of protein to many countries in Africa,” Batista said.
The partnership is expected to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and improve food security in Nigeria.
The signing of the Letter of Intent was witnessed by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muhktar Mahia, Minister of State Agriculture and Food Security Hon. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, and other top government officials.
The development is a result of a study tour conducted by a team of Nigerian officials and private sector players, led by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muhktar Mahia.
The team explored opportunities in livestock development, meat processing, seed development, and multiplication for key grains in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
