As part of its continued drive to expand digital inclusion and strengthen human capital development across Benue State, the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company PLC (BDIC) has held a strategic meeting with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Makurdi Area Office to explore potential collaboration in empowering artisans with essential digital and technical skills.
The meeting, held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the ITF Makurdi Area Office, brought together senior management teams from both organizations for an exploratory discussion on how to leverage ITF’s training frameworks and BDIC’s digital ecosystem to equip artisans across all 23 local government areas of the state.
The BDIC delegation was led by the MD/CEO of BDIC ably represented by Engr. Michael Idu, Group Head of Corporate Services, accompanied by Mr. Solomon Kershima Yateghtegh, Group Head of Startup Support, Innovation and Partnerships; Mr. Joel Karkaa Shirgba, Unit Head of Innovative Solutions; Mr. Luper Iorkongoso, Executive Assistant to the Managing Director; and Mr. Kerter Akaa, representing the BDIC Media Team.
The ITF delegation was headed by Mrs. Sarah Adanyi, Area Manager, supported by Mrs. Abua Nkeruka Sabina (Head of Training), Alh. Mailafiya Obija Doma (Head of Finance), Mr. Dambe Ali (Head of Revenue), Mr. Peter G. Bawa (Head of Administration), and Mr. A.A. Tanka (Public Relations Officer).
In his remarks, Engr. Idu presented an overview of BDIC’s mandate as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established by the Benue State Government to drive digital transformation through infrastructure, innovation, and capacity building. He highlighted that BDIC’s work is structured around three strategic pillars — software infrastructure, hardware infrastructure, and knowledge infrastructure — with this engagement focusing on the third pillar: knowledge infrastructure.
He noted that BDIC’s vision is to extend digital empowerment to local communities by equipping artisans with practical digital skills that can enhance productivity, market access, and sustainability. To this end, BDIC expressed interest in working with ITF to deliver structured training programs using its existing registry of over 1,200 artisans and leveraging BDIC’s technology hubs across the state as potential training centers.
Responding, Mrs. Sarah Adanyi, ITF Area Manager, commended BDIC for its proactive approach and expressed optimism about possible areas of collaboration. She emphasized that ITF has been implementing several artisan-centered programs in Benue State over the last three years and remains open to partnerships that can deepen impact and improve access.
Discussions also highlighted the relevance of adopting ITF’s standardized training curriculum to ensure beneficiaries receive credible and industry-aligned certifications. BDIC expressed its readiness to have its facilitators certified under ITF standards to guarantee quality and consistency across training programs.
The meeting ended on a note of shared commitment to empower artisans with the digital and entrepreneurial skills necessary to thrive in today’s technology-driven economy. Both institutions expressed readiness to continue engagements toward establishing a formal partnership that aligns with the vision of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, to transform Benue State into a digitally empowered and economically competitive hub.
“Our goal is to ensure that every artisan, no matter where they are in Benue, can access digital tools and training that improve their work and livelihoods. This discussion with ITF is a step toward that inclusive vision,”
