Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has called for collective efforts to convert the state’s abundant natural and human resources into investments, employment opportunities and improved living standards for residents.
Alia made the call on Monday in Makurdi while declaring open the three-day Benue 2035 Economic Transformation, Capital Formation and Prosperity Summit, organised by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) in collaboration with Hudson Global.
The summit, themed “From Potential to Prosperity,” is aimed at developing strategies to reposition Benue’s economy and create sustainable growth.
The governor said Benue possesses the human capacity and natural resources needed for economic transformation but stressed that resources alone cannot guarantee development without proper planning and execution.
“We must convert Benue’s vast potential into real prosperity,” Alia said, noting that his administration was focused on creating an environment where farmers, businesses and families could thrive.
He identified key areas requiring urgent attention to include security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, power supply, technology, artificial intelligence, investment opportunities and job creation.
According to him, the sectors are interconnected, stressing that insecurity affects agricultural productivity while poor infrastructure and unreliable electricity limit business growth.
“Agriculture cannot thrive without security, while businesses require infrastructure and reliable power to become productive,” the governor stated.
Alia urged participants at the summit to develop practical solutions that would outlive political administrations, warning against producing another report that would be abandoned without implementation.
“We must not produce another report that will end up on a shelf,” he said, insisting that recommendations from the summit must come with clear responsibilities, timelines and measurable results.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, said the summit was organised to enable stakeholders to chart a new economic path for Benue State.
Asemakaha revealed that tertiary institutions in the state produced 14,802 graduates in 2024 and 16,200 in 2025, adding that the growing number of graduates highlights the need for an economy capable of creating more jobs.
He noted that despite Benue’s population of about 7.3 million and landmass exceeding 34,000 square kilometres, many resources remain underutilised.
The BIPC boss said the company’s role was to provide a platform for collaboration, while stakeholders would contribute ideas and commitments towards achieving economic transformation.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Hudson Global, Prince Tom Isehohi, expressed confidence in Benue’s development prospects, promising that his organisation would support efforts to mobilise funds for the state’s economic agenda.
Isehohi said the SASI model would be applied during the summit to help participants identify strategic priorities and develop an implementation blueprint.
He projected that a company capable of generating $2 billion could be established in Benue within two years, adding that the initiative would help position the state as one of Nigeria’s most competitive economies.
The summit attracted government officials, traditional rulers, investors, business leaders, development partners and experts, who are expected to produce actionable strategies for Benue’s long-term economic transformation.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.