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Ogun State is poised to benefit from a $2.5 billion investment in livestock production from JBS, a company based in Brazil.
The controlling shareholder of JBS, Wesley Batista, shared this information during a visit to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, by company officials, including the controlling shareholder of EMN, John Coumantaros, at the governor's office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta on Sunday.
Coumantaros stated that the investment aims to enhance the production of beef, pork, and chicken in Nigeria.
He remarked, "We have been engaging and learning about Nigeria. We had the opportunity to meet the Nigerian delegation in Brazil when President Bola Tinubu visited us. We regard Nigeria as Africa's hub due to its significant population.
While this is our first venture in Nigeria, we believe there are numerous similarities between Brazil and Nigeria. Our impressions of Nigeria and its people are overwhelmingly positive. We are committed to investing in beef, pork, and chicken production, among other areas. We recognize the growth potential in Nigeria and appreciate the efforts of Nigerian leaders in attracting investors for substantial investments. Our expertise can greatly contribute to Nigeria’s economy,” Coumantaros expressed.
The controlling shareholder highlighted that the company, operating in various countries, processes 80,000 cattle, 15 million chickens, and approximately 25,000 lambs daily. Additionally, the company produces packaged goods such as sausages and bacon.
In related news, the CEO of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Rimi, mentioned that the meeting followed a technical team dispatched by the company to evaluate investment potentials in the State. She added that the company is prepared to invest $2.5 billion over the next five years in livestock, with Ogun State being one of the beneficiaries.
In response, Governor Abiodun emphasized that with more than 16,000 square kilometers of land, Ogun State presents an optimal location for investments, providing unique access to the 17 southern states and the northern regions of the country.
He stated, "We have established 1,000 kilometers of highways and the best airport in Nigeria dedicated to agro imports and exports. Our state leads in non-oil production, as a significant portion is situated on limestone. We rank as Africa's third-largest cement producer, following Morocco and Egypt. Our state is rich in resources like gold, silica, and bitumen, among others. Additionally, we possess extensive gas reticulation with two major pipelines traversing our state."
Governor Abiodun also mentioned that Ogun is advancing into power generation and distribution, ensuring that industries and enterprises operating within the state would have access to the most affordable power supply in the country.
Regarding land acquisition, the governor assured that the process has been streamlined, with land title documents available within 30 days, and reiterated that his administration has made significant investments in security to safeguard the lives and properties of residents and businesses in the state.
