By Terdue Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has been honoured as the Digital Governor of the Year 2026 by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms under the Presidency, in recognition of his administration’s efforts to promote digital innovation and technology-driven governance.
The award, presented on Tuesday, was described by the state government as a national endorsement of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning Benue through digital infrastructure, institutional development and improved public service delivery.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, said the recognition demonstrated that effective leadership and measurable results naturally attract acknowledgement.
Kula noted that the Nigeria GOVTECH Public Service Award 2026 affirmed the administration’s commitment to translating its digital governance vision into functional institutions, infrastructure and tangible progress.
The Federal Government’s recognition followed a comparative assessment of digital governance performance across states, focusing on digital service delivery, infrastructure, institutional readiness, transparency, innovation and strategic partnerships.
According to the statement, the award highlights the growing importance of technology in Governor Alia’s approach to governance and his administration’s determination to modernise public institutions.
A major driver of the transformation is the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company PLC (BDIC), established by the Alia administration in 2024 to spearhead the state’s digital development.
In 2025, BDIC received the Best State ICT Agency award at the same national GovTech awards, a development the government considers an early indication of the progress being made in implementing its digital agenda.
The governor’s latest recognition, the statement said, represents a continuation of efforts to institutionalise technology-driven reforms across the state.
Under Alia’s leadership, the administration is building a coordinated digital governance framework involving the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the Benue State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (BENDISMEA) and BDIC.
Key initiatives include electronic document management, digital land administration, fibre-optic connectivity to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and the ongoing implementation of a contract for the procurement of 3,500 computers and high-end servers.
The administration has also prioritised digital capacity-building among civil servants.
Through BDIC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, about 30,000 state and local government civil servants have received training in digital technology tools and data privacy since 2025.
The government believes the initiative will improve administrative efficiency, strengthen data protection and equip public servants with the skills required to operate in an increasingly technology-driven environment.
For residents, the digital reforms are expected to improve access to public services by reducing delays associated with physical files, facilitating faster records retrieval and strengthening accountability in government operations.
The digital transformation drive also extends to the legislative arm, where the Benue e-Parliament Management System is being deployed to modernise legislative processes.
The initiative, supported by training and the provision of laptops to standing committees, is designed to promote paperless documentation, virtual participation and easier access to legislative information.
Training conducted in 2025 for lawmakers, directors and committee secretaries focused on the use of the platform to improve legislative administration, lawmaking, oversight functions and public accountability.
Beyond government institutions, the Alia administration is investing in digital skills development for young people to expand employment opportunities and prepare them for the demands of the digital economy.
The state has provided technology-skills training for 10,000 youths and organised its first and second children’s technology boot camps through BDIC in 2025 and 2026.
Additionally, 20,000 youths are currently undergoing digital skills training in partnership with Cisco Networking Academy and BDIC.
The ongoing development of the Benue State Digital Economy and E-Governance Training Centre at the Benue Public Service Institute is expected to provide a permanent platform for digital education, professional development and capacity-building.
In a move aimed at promoting inclusive digital development, the administration has also established a special ICT centre for persons with disabilities and trained its first and second cohorts.
The initiative is intended to expand access to technology education and ensure that persons with disabilities are not excluded from opportunities emerging within the digital economy.
Similarly, the approval of a digital register for artisans is expected to improve the identification and visibility of skilled workers, facilitate referrals and support targeted training and enterprise development programmes.
To encourage investment in broadband infrastructure, the state government has provided telecommunications operators with free right-of-way access and taken steps to curb illegal tax collections affecting their operations.
The measures are aimed at reducing barriers to telecommunications infrastructure expansion and creating a more favourable environment for improved connectivity across the state.
Taken together, the initiatives are expected to strengthen the relationship between government and citizens through more efficient service delivery, improved records management, greater administrative transparency and a business environment that supports investment.
The government maintained that Governor Alia’s GovTech award should be viewed within the broader context of institutional reforms and digital transformation taking place across Benue State.
It added that beyond the prestige of receiving a national honour at the Presidential Villa, the priority would be to consolidate existing achievements, complete ongoing projects, expand digital access and ensure that the benefits of technology reach residents in both urban and rural communities.
