By Abbas Nazil
Long-standing farmer-herder conflicts, raging hunger and poverty, and economic stagnation have attracted a major attention from the attention.
The federal government has reiterated its determination to tackle these social and economic challenges with a resolve to attract both international and local investments into Nigeria’s livestock sector.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reiterated the determination while speaking in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday, during the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Nigerian government and JBS S.A., one of the world’s top three largest meat processing companies.
President Tinubu described the initiative as a pivotal step towards turning challenges into opportunities.
“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” Tinubu said, decrying, “These conflicts have caused loss of life and bloodshed.”
He continued: “We are turning a situation of tragedy and hopelessness into economic opportunity, seeing through the problems to discover the opportunities within them.”
President Tinubu urged JBS S.A. to recognize the significant opportunities in Nigeria’s $2.5 billion livestock sector, particularly given the country’s large population and potential to generate substantial returns on investments.
“As we talk, there is hunger, but there is also immense hope. You represent one of the hopes we are counting on,” he pleaded.
The President assured the company of Nigeria’s readiness to provide an enabling environment for investments while guaranteeing profitable outcomes.
Ahead of his visit to Brazil, President Tinubu had directed a team of Nigerian officials and private sector stakeholders to utilize the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio to embark on a study tour of Sao Paulo.
The team explored opportunities in livestock development, meat processing, and seed production for key grains.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muhktar Mahia, who led the delegation, reported to the President that the team engaged in extensive and guided tours of globally renowned companies.
This statehouse initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fostering global partnerships that address critical challenges while ensuring economic prosperity and food security for Nigerians.