World’s largest meat firm JBS faces scrutiny over $2.5bn Nigeria deal

Global environmental group Greenpeace has raised fresh concerns over a planned multibillion-dollar investment by JBS in Nigeria, warning that the project could pose environmental, social and governance risks if not subjected to strict oversight and public scrutiny.

In a post released this week, the group said the world’s largest meat company is expanding into Nigeria under a deal signed in 2024, but key details of the agreement remain undisclosed. The lack of transparency, it said, mirrors concerns already raised by local civil society organisations, which as of November last year had called on the Nigerian government to make the terms public.

JBS is planning a major footprint in the country as part of a global expansion strategy. Greenpeace said roughly half of the company’s $6 billion expansion is earmarked for Nigeria, including plans to build six large meat-processing facilities. It added that at least 1.2 million hectares of land has been committed to the project, raising concerns about land use and long-term environmental impact.

The organisation criticised what it described as limited disclosure around the project, including the absence of publicly available environmental and human rights impact assessments. “JBS has failed to disclose significant information about its plans, from the agreement it signed with Nigeria’s government to environmental and human rights impact assessments,” Greenpeace said.

The group also pointed to JBS’s global record, particularly in Brazil, where the company has faced scrutiny over links within its supply chain to deforestation in the Amazon and alleged human rights abuses. It warned that exporting a similar industrial model to sub-Saharan Africa could have implications for land rights, livelihoods and emissions.

“Multinational corporations like JBS thrive by operating in the dark,” Greenpeace said, arguing that large-scale agribusiness projects can leave local communities dealing with environmental and economic consequences if not properly regulated.

The intervention comes as local advocacy groups in Nigeria continue to push for greater accountability around the deal. Civil society organisations have raised concerns about potential displacement, disruption of pastoralist livelihoods, and the broader impact on food systems, particularly in regions where traditional livestock rearing supports millions of people.

Greenpeace said it has escalated the issue beyond national advocacy, submitting an amicus brief to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The filing argues that governments and corporations have obligations under the African Charter to prevent environmental harm and ensure access to information and public participation in projects of this scale.

Strong Oversight

The organisation also framed the issue within the global climate debate, highlighting the role of industrial livestock production in methane emissions. Methane is significantly more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term, raising the stakes for large-scale expansion of meat production systems.

While the Nigerian government has not publicly detailed the agreement, the project is seen as part of broader efforts to attract investment into agriculture and agro-processing. However, analysts say the JBS case underscores the growing tension between investment-driven development and environmental and social safeguards.

For Nigeria, the outcome could set an important precedent. Strong disclosure and regulatory oversight could help balance investment with sustainability goals. Conversely, a lack of transparency risks deepening public distrust and exposing the country to long-term environmental and social costs.

Greenpeace said the issue is not limited to Nigeria, arguing that how authorities respond could influence standards for agribusiness expansion across Africa.