The Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) has successfully concluded a one-week intensive training program for the 23 Divisional Agricultural Officers of the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Makurdi. The training focused on the implementation and effective utilization of the Benue Smart Agriculture Infrastructure—a cutting-edge digital platform developed by BDIC to drive the Benue State Smart Agriculture and Data Management Systems.
This landmark initiative underscores the Benue State Government’s commitment to leveraging digital technology to enhance agricultural productivity, empower farmers, and strengthen food security across all 23 Local Government Areas. By equipping Divisional Agricultural Officers with practical digital skills in data management, farm analytics, and smart monitoring systems, the State is positioning agriculture as a key driver of its digital economy transformation.
The Benue Smart Agriculture Infrastructure integrates satellite data, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and AI-powered analytics to deliver real-time insights on soil health, weather forecasting, pest and disease control, and crop performance. This digital platform supports precision agriculture, enabling farmers to make data-driven decisions that reduce waste, increase yields, and optimize resources.
Furthermore, the system provides farmers with access to digital marketplaces, linking them directly to buyers and processors, ensuring fair pricing, financial inclusion, and increased market access through technology. This innovation is part of BDIC’s broader effort to digitalize critical sectors of the Benue economy in line with Governor Hyacinth Iormen Alia’s Digital Benue Agenda, which prioritizes the integration of technology into governance, service delivery, and economic development.
Representing the Managing Director/CEO of BDIC, Mr. Cephas Abur, the Group Head, System Support and Services, reaffirmed the company’s unwavering commitment to building sustainable digital solutions that address the unique needs of Benue’s agricultural ecosystem. He emphasized that the Smart Agriculture Infrastructure is a testament to BDIC’s resolve to support the State Government’s vision for a data-driven, technology-enabled, and inclusive agricultural system.
Through this initiative, Benue State is taking a bold step towards transforming agriculture from traditional practices to a smart, technology-driven, and globally competitive sector. Farmers are not only being empowered with tools for higher productivity but are also being integrated into the expanding Benue Digital Economy, ensuring long-term growth, food security, and prosperity for all citizens.
BDIC wins Best State ICT Agency GOVTECH Award 2025
Yesterday, at the prestigious Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) PLC emerged as the “Best State ICT Agency” at the Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards 2025, held from October 9–10. This national recognition underscores BDIC’s exceptional leadership in driving digital governance, public sector innovation, and smart transformation initiatives across Benue State.
Representing the Managing Director/CEO, Gbande Hembaor Terwase, BDIC’s Chief of Staff and Special Adviser, Owoicho Igoji, addressed the press and showcased the company’s landmark achievements. He highlighted BDIC’s pioneering digital government framework, including the deployment of fiber optic network to 16 MDA, the paperless Executive Council Management System, ongoing training of 40,000 civil servants on digital governance, training of children in the first Benue Summer Tech Bootcamp, e- pensions, Benue e-Parliament platform enhancing legislative transparency and accountability, e-Health innovations expanding access to quality healthcare services, and comprehensive e-Learning initiatives advancing educational reach and inclusivity.
These transformative projects have strengthened efficiency, transparency, and citizen participation within Benue’s governance ecosystem—positioning the state as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda. The award also acknowledges BDIC’s strategic partnerships, notably with Galaxy Backbone Ltd., which have accelerated broadband expansion, digital infrastructure growth, and data security across Benue State. Through these collaborations, BDIC continues to redefine how technology drives service delivery, bridging digital divides and ensuring that every citizen benefits from the ongoing digital revolution.
BDIC’s success story reflects the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State, and the dedicated support of the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, under Hon. Commissioner Kwaghgba Amande. Their administration has prioritized digital infrastructure, ICT capacity building, cybersecurity, and digital literacy programs—empowering over 40,000 civil and public servants across the state. The 2025 National GovTech Conference & Awards, themed “Redefining Possibilities: Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Public Service Delivery and Socio-Economic Development,” convened top government officials, innovators, and development partners to celebrate digital excellence and transformative leadership in Nigeria’s public sector.
The Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards, organized by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) under the Presidency, play a pivotal role in promoting innovation, efficiency, and accountability in governance. By recognizing institutions like BDIC, the BPSR reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening digital transformation and e-governance across all levels of administration. The awards serve as a benchmark for public institutions, encouraging the adoption of emerging technologies to enhance transparency, improve service delivery, and strengthen institutional capacity in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).
The Benue Digital Infrastructure Company PLC proudly dedicates this award to His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, whose determination, commitment, and strategic foresight have been the driving force behind Benue’s digital transformation journey. Under his visionary leadership, Benue State has become a national model of digital innovation and governance excellence—propelling Nigeria’s ambition to become Africa’s leading digital powerhouse.
Yesterday, 7th October, 2025, at Nnam Hall and Hotel Makurdi. Benue Digital Infrastructure Company PLC (BDIC), in collaboration with the Benue State Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy and the Benue State Urban Development Board, proudly hosted the First Benue Telecommunication Stakeholders’ Summit with the theme “Building a Connected Benue: Driving Broadband Investment, Policy Coordination, and Digital Inclusion.” The summit focuses on Fibre Network Investment, Right of Way (RoW) Processing, and Infrastructure Management—a strategic step towards achieving massive broadband penetration across Benue State in line with the vision of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormen Alia, to build a smart, digital, inclusive, and prosperous Benue.
This landmark event brings together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, telecommunication operators, broadband investors, and ICT ecosystem players to deliberate on the development of a unified framework for efficient fibre network deployment and management across the state. It aims to create a conducive environment for private investment in digital infrastructure while harmonizing policies that reduce costs, enhance right-of-way processes, and promote infrastructure sharing. Such collaboration will not only deepen digital connectivity but also ensure efficient delivery of e-governance, digital education, e-health, smart agriculture, and security solutions across urban and rural communities.
The outcomes of this summit are expected to position Benue State as a regional leader in broadband development, boost the local digital economy, create thousands of jobs, and drive innovation-led growth. By expanding broadband access and strengthening ICT infrastructure, the state will unlock new opportunities in entrepreneurship, education, and public service delivery. Ultimately, this event underscores BDIC’s commitment—under the guidance of the Benue State Government—to actualize the Digital Benue Transformation Agenda and make technology a central driver of economic diversification and inclusive prosperity.
BDIC & UNDP (BAIHub) Convene Stakeholder Roundtable on Benue Innovation Ecosystem
The Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), in collaboration with UNDP through the Benue Agro Innovation Hub (BAIHub), yesterday hosted a Stakeholder Roundtable at the BICD Conference Hall, Makurdi.
The roundtable brought together over 35 participants, including hub leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and government representatives, to assess the current state of the ecosystem, share insights, and chart practical steps toward strengthening innovation and digital entrepreneurship in Benue State.
Representing the MD/CEO of BDIC, Mr. Terwase Gbande, the Group Head, Startup Support, Innovative Solutions & Partnerships, Mr. Solomon Kershima Yateghtegh, emphasized the need for collective action to retain local talent, expand opportunities, and align ecosystem players toward the state’s broader digital economy goals.
The UNDP (BAIHub) Lead, Mary Onyagebo Oigocho, stressed the importance of collaboration and inclusivity, noting that Benue’s innovation ecosystem can only thrive when hubs, startups, and institutions commit to shared responsibility and active engagement.
The session also featured goodwill messages from the Commissioner for Science and Technology Hon James Dwen and a representative of the Commissioner for ICT and Digital Economy Mrs Dorcas Egye, both of whom reaffirmed government’s commitment to digital transformation and innovation-driven development.
Adding his voice, the DG of the Bureau of International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Mr. Leo-Angelo Viashima, highlighted the importance of partnerships and international linkages in building an ecosystem that can compete beyond Benue and Nigeria. He pledged BICD’s continued collaboration in driving innovation and attracting opportunities to the state.
Also present was Mr. Shirgba Karkaa Joel, Unit Head of Innovative Solutions at BDIC, who underscored the role of intellectual property protection and mentorship in enabling startups to grow sustainably.
Participants raised critical issues, including funding, mentorship, and awareness of opportunities within the state, while also sharing optimism about the collective journey toward a thriving innovation ecosystem.
This roundtable reflects the mandate of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State, who has placed digital transformation, youth empowerment, and innovation-led job creation at the heart of his administration’s agenda.
Building on earlier engagements such as the Benue Startup Ecosystem Build-Up and the Startup Pitching Training & Hangout, this stakeholder roundtable sets the stage for the forthcoming Benue Innovation Week — a flagship event to showcase startups, attract investors, and cement Benue’s place as a hub for digital innovation.
Together, we are building a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive startup ecosystem for Benue State.
The Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) team today held a strategic engagement with the Honorable Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Theresa Odachi Ikwue, and her team of Directors to explore areas of collaboration aimed at driving digital transformation in the ministry. The meeting centered on the adoption of digital tools, platforms, and systems that will enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery within the ministry. BDIC presented its vision of empowering government institutions with state-of-the-art digital infrastructure that ensures seamless operations and alignment with the broader digital transformation agenda of Benue State.
Hon. Mrs. Theresa Odachi Ikwue and her team expressed readiness to embrace this transition, recognizing the immense benefits of going fully digital in advancing the ministry’s mandate of promoting the welfare of women and children in the state. The partnership with BDIC is expected to strengthen policy implementation, improve record management, and create inclusive platforms that give women greater access to empowerment opportunities through technology. This engagement marks a significant step towards modernizing the ministry and ensuring that women in Benue are not left behind in the digital age.
Our technical team visited Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) and were warmly received by the Technical Adviser to the MD/CEO, Mr. Kazeem Sulaiman, alongside members of the GBB technical team. The engagement served as a platform for knowledge sharing on digital infrastructure deployment, where BDIC presented its initiatives in Benue State, including digital land administration, e-governance systems, and smart infrastructure services, while GBB shared its national experience in managing large-scale ICT infrastructure and secure connectivity solutions.
Both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in order to accelerate digital transformation. The partnership between BDIC and GBB is expected to advance digital governance in Benue State, promote inclusive access to digital services, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s broader vision of a digitally enabled economy.
