As Nigeria contends with escalating food insecurity and a burgeoning cost-of-living crisis, a recent $2.5 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brazilian meatpacker JBS signals a dangerously misguided commitment to industrial agriculture. Although the agreement is presented as beneficial for economic expansion and food security, its long-term effects may make Nigeria’s already precarious ecological and economic situation worse.
The introduction of large-scale industrial farming—spanning poultry, cattle, and pork—may seem like progress, but it risks mirroring the corporate-driven practices of countries like the United States. These models prioritise profit over people, undermining local agriculture, eroding food sovereignty, and enriching multinational corporations at the expense of smallholder farmers. Nigeria’s reliance on JBS, a company notorious for its environmental and ethical record, may well exacerbate the nation’s food security issues rather than solve them.
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Industrial livestock farming is a significant contributor to environmental degradation, from deforestation to water pollution. The overuse of antibiotics in factory farms poses a serious public health threat, contributing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), already a growing concern in Nigeria. Moreover, the expansion of factory farming intensifies the risk of zoonotic diseases—pathogens that leap from animals to humans. This was evidenced by past global health crises like avian influenza and COVID-19. Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the lessons from such pandemics.
Furthermore, the climate impact of industrial livestock production is undeniable. It remains one of the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions, with feed crops like maize and soy depleting vital resources and pushing smallholder farmers into further economic hardship.
“By embracing agroecology, Nigeria could build a food system that not only ensures food security but restores degraded ecosystems, empowers smallholder farmers, and reduces dependence on food imports.”
Nigeria’s smallholder farmers, already burdened by high input costs and volatile market conditions, will bear the brunt of this industrial approach. Contract farming, a hallmark of multinational agribusinesses, locks farmers into unsustainable debt cycles and undermines traditional agricultural knowledge and practices that have sustained local communities for generations. The widespread use of genetically modified (GM) crops and synthetic inputs further marginalises indigenous crops, threatening biodiversity and reinforcing global market dependency.
In contrast, agroecology offers a far more sustainable and equitable path to food security. This approach centres on ecological farming practices, local food systems, and community empowerment. Agroecological methods not only improve yields but also reduce environmental damage and build resilience against climate shocks. The model also champions social justice, providing vital support to marginalised groups, particularly women, who make up the majority of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce.
By embracing agroecology, Nigeria could build a food system that not only ensures food security but restores degraded ecosystems, empowers smallholder farmers, and reduces dependence on food imports.
The MoU with JBS represents a profound misstep at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with soaring food prices and increasing economic hardship. The embrace of industrial agriculture only promises to deepen inequality, degrade public health, and accelerate environmental damage.
This deal’s true cost extends far beyond financial figures—it threatens Nigeria’s sovereignty, ecological balance, and long-term stability. A commitment to industrial farming would undermine the nation’s future, undermining the potential for a self-sustaining agricultural sector that reflects the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
Nigeria faces a stark choice: continue on the industrial farming path, sacrificing its environment and people for short-term economic gains, or chart a new course rooted in agroecology, a model that puts people, animals, and the planet at the heart of its food system.
The government must cancel its agreement with JBS and shift its focus towards policies that empower smallholder farmers, protect biodiversity, and defend the right to food sovereignty. This is not just an economic imperative; it is a moral one. The future of Nigeria’s food system and the well-being of its people depend on this decisive leadership.
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Instead of prioritising the profits of multinational corporations, the government should invest in supporting local, sustainable agriculture. Strengthening agricultural extension services and providing farmers with access to vital information, training, and resources, such as improved seeds, fertilisers, and access to markets, is crucial. Investing in rural infrastructure, improving roads, access to water, and electricity in rural areas will enhance farmers’ productivity and market access. Supporting agroecological practices and promoting sustainable farming methods that enhance soil health, conserve water, and reduce reliance on harmful chemicals is paramount. This includes supporting organic farming, agroforestry, and integrated pest management. Protecting local seed varieties, supporting seed banks, and promoting the use of locally adapted seeds to maintain biodiversity and reduce reliance on genetically modified organisms is essential. Recognising and supporting the vital role of women in agriculture by providing them with access to resources, training, and leadership opportunities is equally important.
By embracing these policies, Nigeria can build a resilient food system that nourishes its people, protects its environment, and empowers its communities. The choice is clear: will Nigeria succumb to the allure of short-term gains and the destructive forces of industrial agriculture, or will it rise to the challenge of building a sustainable and equitable food system that nourishes its people and protects its future? The answer will determine the trajectory of the nation for generations to come.
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