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Stakeholders Raise Alarm over incursion of multinationals into meat production sector in Nigeria
Stakeholders Raise Alarm over incursion of multinationals into meat production sector in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
Stakeholders from civil society, research institutions, and international organisations have expressed deep concern over the growing incursion of multinational industrial farming corporations into Nigeria’s meat production sector, warning of grave consequences for food sovereignty, public health, and the environment.
The concerns were raised during a media workshop organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in Abuja on Thursday, where participants examined the implications of industrial-scale animal agriculture on local communities and Nigeria’s food system.
Speaking at the workshop, the Director of Programmes at HOMEF, Joyce Okeogene Brown highlighted that multinational corporations such as JBS are acquiring vast expanses of land in Nigeria.
She cited Niger State’s offer of 1.2 million hectares of land as an example, warning that such acquisitions threaten to displace local farmers and pastoralists who currently sustain national food production.
“Industrial farming projects often lead to the loss of grazing and farmland for local communities. Most of the meat produced is destined for export, not to meet local food needs,” Brown noted.
She said: “A study presented by HIDA Resource Centre revealed that communities in Nassarawa, Kaduna, and Benue States are not benefitting from promised employment opportunities. Instead, locals are often restricted to menial jobs, while skilled positions go to outsiders.
The report also documented cases of farmland loss, water contamination, and chemical pollution linked to industrial farming practices.
Brown stressed that Nigeria must prioritise its smallholder farmers, who currently produce over 70 percent of the nation’s food. “Rather than ceding control of our food system to foreign corporations driven by profit, the government should strengthen local farmers who are already feeding the nation,” she said.
Adding a global perspective, Dr. Patrick Mwinde of World Animal Protection warned of rising antimicrobial resistance linked to industrial livestock systems, which heavily rely on antibiotics.
He stressed that: “Already, 1.27 million people die annually from untreatable infections. Without urgent action, this number could reach 10 million by 2050,”.
Mwinde also noted that industrial farms rely heavily on herbicides and fertilisers that pollute water bodies and soil, leaving neighbouring communities vulnerable to toxic runoff.
“These companies externalise their costs maximising profit while communities pay the price with their health and environment,” he cautioned.
Mariann Bassey Olsson, Coordinator of the Food Sovereignty Programme for Nigeria and Africa at Friends of the Earth, underscored the difference between food security and food sovereignty, insisting that the latter is Nigeria’s only path to sustainable farming.
“Food sovereignty means Nigerians should eat what is locally sourced and produced, in the quality and quantity they desire, not just any food,” she explained.
She argued that Nigeria can not only feed itself but also Africa and the world, provided the government invests in infrastructure, protects farmers from insecurity, and supports small-scale agriculture.
The stakeholders recommended that government: Protect smallholder farmers and livestock producers who feed the majority of Nigerians; Halt large-scale land concessions to foreign corporations; Invest in rural infrastructure and security to enable farmers to expand production; Regulate against environmental degradation and ensure polluters bear the cost of cleanup.
They also stressed that Nigeria’s long-term food sovereignty depends on empowering its farmers, not outsourcing food production to corporations whose primary interest is profit.
Stakeholders Raise Alarm over incursion of multinationals into meat production sector in Nigeria
Soldier found dead after chasing attacker in Kwara
By: Zagazola Makama
A Nigerian Army personnel has been found dead after pursuing an assailant in Twatagi village, Patigi Local Government Area of the state.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred on Oct. 21, 2025, around 5:30 p.m., when the deceased soldier, Private Usman Alhaji attached to Apapa, Lagos, was riding on a motorcycle with one Muhammad Baba, a native of Twatagi village.
While on their way to Patigi town, they encountered a man walking along the road with a stick, who suddenly struck them as they passed by. The man immediately fled into the bush.
The sources stated that Private Alhaji pursued the assailant on foot but failed to return. After waiting for hours without seeing him, Muhammad Baba reportedly searched the area but could not locate the soldier.
However, at about 2:00 p.m. the following day, villagers discovered the lifeless body of the soldier in the bush.
Police operatives visited the scene and observed that the victim sustained a stab wound to the neck.
The body was released to the family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrator.
Soldier found dead after chasing attacker in Kwara
Security forces raid bandits’ camp in Sokoto, neutralise two, recover arms
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces have neutralised two bandits and recovered arms and ammunition during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Julirkol Forest, Silame Local Government Area of the state.
Zagazola Makama report that the operation was carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit on Oct. 22, 2025, following credible intelligence that a group of armed bandits wielding sophisticated weapons were hibernating in the forest.
On arrival at the camp, the hoodlums reportedly opened fire on the police team, prompting a fierce gun duel that lasted several minutes.
According to sources , the bandits were overpowered, leading to the neutralisation of two of them, while others escaped into the forest with gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the camp include one AK-49 rifle with breach number 80 KC 3335, one fabricated rifle without a serial number, three sharp cutlasses, and ten rounds of live ammunition.
Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, commended the operatives for their bravery and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes in the state.
Security forces raid bandits’ camp in Sokoto, neutralise two, recover arms
Court Asks Kanu To Open Defence After Sacking Own Legal Team
By: Our Reporter
A federal high court sitting in Abuja on Thursday adjourned till Friday to enable the detained self acclaimed leader of the proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, begin his defence.
Kanu, who was scheduled to open his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial on Thursday, dramatically fired his legal team.
When the case was called, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who had led Kanu’s legal team until Thursday, announced his decision, with other Senior Advocates in the team, to withdraw from the case.
Agabi said the reason for their withdrawal “is because the defendant has taken this case back from us and we respect that.”
He gave the name of the other SANs, withdrawing to include: Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Joseph Akubo (SAN), Paul Erokoro (SAN), Emeka Etiaba (SAN) and one other.
Following Agabi’s announcement, Justice James Omotosho turned to Kanu, who was in the dock, for his response.
Kanu confirmed sacking all his lawyers, telling the court that he was willing and ready to conduct his case by himself.
Justice Omotosho then, ordered other members of the defendant’s legal team who were in court, except the SANs to vacate the courtroom.
The judge thereafter turned to the defendant and asked him to open his case.
Kanu begin by arguing about the jurisdiction of the court to further conduct his trial. He was subsequently overruled by the judge, who insisted that he most proceed with his defence.
At that point, Ikpeazu intervened and drew the attention of the court to the fact that their (Kanu’s lawyers’) withdrawal took effect on the morning of Thursday.
He prayed the court to grant Kanu some time to gather his thoughts and compose himself for the task ahead.
Prosecuting lawyer did not object, following which Justice Omotosho adjourned till Friday, October 24 to enable the IPOB open his defence.
Court Asks Kanu To Open Defence After Sacking Own Legal Team
Soldier found dead after chasing attacker in Kwara
Security forces raid bandits’ camp in Sokoto, neutralise two, recover arms
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