NVMA lauds FG for partnering JBS to harness $2.5bn investment in livestock development

The President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Dr Moses Arokoyo, has expressed delight over the recent move of the President, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, in forging a partnership with the JBS Group, the second largest meat processing operator globally.

While speaking on this laudable investment of $2.5 billion in livestock development to impact positively on the nation’s economy, the NVMA President congratulated the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Muhktar Mahia and the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, for the choice of JBS Group based on a proven track record of being the second largest meat processing company in the world with the capacity to process 33,000 cattle and over 8M birds daily using advanced zero-waste practices.

JBS Group is the largest employer of labor in Brazil, with a presence in about 50 countries and over 79 billion dollars in revenue already in the year 2024.

He said it is heartwarming that the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development is already taking giant steps to ensure that the much-needed protein is made available to Nigerians.

Arokoyo also noted that the Veterinary Services of the country contributed significantly to this achievement as the eradication of Rinderpest and control of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), as well as other emerging and re-emerging transboundary animal diseases, creates an enabling environment for commodity-based trade and export, which bolsters the confidence of foreign investors.

The NVMA president said these focused investments in the livestock sector will bring to reality solutions around food security and employment creation for the teeming youth population and make for agricultural technology transfer even down to the 774 local government areas of the nation.

He pledged the continued commitment and willingness of the Veterinary Professionals in the nation across all cadres and specialization to support and participate actively in the actualisation of this laudable project.

“We are very much aligned with the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr President,” he added.