BDIC Showcases Benue State’s Digital Infrastructure Achievements at National CNII Stakeholders

ICT, News, Technology

BDIC-Admin
August 23, 2025

At the Strategic Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Executive Order for Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), organized by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, with the 36 state Commissioners, the FCT, Permanent Secretaries, and Heads of ICT Agencies in attendance, the managing Director/CEO, Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) Mr. Gbande Hembaor Terwase proudly highlighted the remarkable progress Benue State has made under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormen Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State. In just two years, through the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company PLC (BDIC), the state has recorded landmark achievements in deploying robust digital infrastructure, securing Benue’s critical information infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity measures, and instituting proactive systems to safeguard vital state and national assets. These efforts, combined with strategic partnerships and an unwavering commitment to innovation, earned resounding applause from participants and positioned Benue State as a model for subnational digital transformation in Nigeria.

National Critical Information Infrastructure (CNII) refers to those information systems, networks, and assets whose disruption or destruction would have a debilitating impact on national security, governance, economic stability, or public safety. It encompasses key sectors such as energy, finance, telecommunications, transportation, and government services. Recognizing its strategic importance, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria executed the Executive Order June 2024 on CNII to provide a legal and operational framework for its protection. This Executive Order, issued to align with global cybersecurity standards, mandates all tiers of government and critical operators to implement robust safeguards, ensuring that these infrastructures remain resilient against physical and cyber threats.

In line with this national directive, Benue State has proactively aligned its policies, strategies, and operational frameworks to protect CNII and Benue’s critical infrastructure within its jurisdiction.

Through BDIC, we have established secure digital platforms for land administration, expanded broadband penetration, deployed intelligent surveillance systems, and introduced modern ICT governance frameworks that strengthen resilience and ensure service continuity. Furthermore, the state is pushing for the domestication of CNII protection by incorporating its provisions into the proposed Executive Bill on Digital Economy and E-Governance Law, which will institutionalize these safeguards in state legislation. These achievements not only secure critical state-level assets but also contribute directly to the national CNII protection mandate, reinforcing Benue State’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s digital future.