By Terdue Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, has signed an agreement for the development of the $250 million National Food City Complex, in a major step towards transforming the state’s agricultural sector into an agro-industrial economy.
The agreement was signed on Monday at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, with the Deputy Governor, Barrister Sam Ode, mni, representing the governor at the ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Governor Alia said his administration was committed to creating an economy where the state’s abundant agricultural resources could be converted into wealth, jobs and sustainable prosperity for the people.
Alia said the project would give greater economic meaning to Benue’s long-standing identity as the “Food Basket of the Nation” by moving the state beyond the production of raw agricultural commodities to processing, value addition and industrial development.
“We must move beyond simply producing agricultural commodities. We must produce, process, add value, create jobs and retain more wealth here in Benue. That is the essence of the National Food City Complex,” he said.
According to him, the project will occupy a planned footprint of 30,000 hectares and integrate agricultural production with processing, storage, logistics, energy and markets.
He added that the project was expected to integrate about 40,000 smallholder farmers and create up to 20,000 permanent direct jobs.
The governor said the initiative aligned with his administration’s economic vision of moving Benue from agricultural potential to agro-industrial capability, stressing that government would continue to create an enabling environment for private-sector investment, technology and expertise.
“We welcome investment, but we seek investment that creates both legitimate commercial returns and public value, through jobs, skills, markets, infrastructure and stronger supply chains,” Alia stated.
He noted that the interests of investors and the people of Benue could complement each other when investments were properly structured, adding that the state government would provide the necessary facilitation and institutional support to Rexzodeneh Group Limited, the project investor.
While welcoming the company to Benue, Alia charged it to ensure that the commitments made under the agreement translated into tangible economic opportunities for the people.
He also demanded transparency, accountability and delivery from the investors.
The governor commended the Benue Investment Promotion Agency (BENIPA), as well as relevant ministries, departments and agencies, for their efforts in facilitating the project.
He tasked BENIPA to continue serving as an effective bridge between government and investors, ensuring that credible investment proposals progressed from announcements to actual economic development.
Alia also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that Benue’s agricultural strength was not only a state advantage but a national asset.
He said the project would contribute to Nigeria’s broader objectives of food security, industrialisation, economic diversification and increased private-sector participation.
According to him, the success of the National Food City Complex would not be determined by the signing ceremony but by its impact on farmers, young people, businesses and the wider economy.
“When our farmers have stronger and more reliable markets; when our young people find meaningful employment; when industries grow around agriculture; when entrepreneurs have new opportunities; and when more of the value generated from Benue’s resources remains within Benue,” he said.
The governor declared that the project represented a transition from Benue being merely a producer of agricultural commodities to becoming a major centre for production, processing and value creation.
“A food basket must feed industries. Industries must create jobs. Jobs must create incomes. And incomes must create prosperity. That is the Benue we are determined to build,” Alia stressed.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would help create an economy where agriculture serves as the foundation for industrial growth and where young people can find opportunities to build their future within the state.
“We are moving from the Food Basket to an agro-industrial economy; from what we grow, to what we can build from it. From potential, to productivity. From productivity, to prosperity,” the governor said.
