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Benue Marks 50 Years with Vision for the Digital Future
Benue State marked its 50th anniversary on Saturday, June 27, 2026, celebrating five decades since its creation on February 3, 1976. The Golden Jubilee, themed around resilience, peace, and agricultural heritage, culminated in a colourful grand finale at the iconic IBB Square in Makurdi.
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Beyond pageantry and history, the anniversary underscored Benue’s growing ambition to become an active contributor to Nigeria’s digital economy—leveraging technology, infrastructure, and innovation alongside its long-standing agricultural strength.
High-Level Dignitaries, Unity and Cultural Pride
Hosted by Governor Hyacinth Alia, the celebrations attracted citizens and dignitaries from across the country.
Key highlights included:
- Federal Presence: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, commended Benue’s resilience and reaffirmed its historic role as Nigeria’s “Food Basket of the Nation.”
- Guest of Honour: Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), who chaired the occasion, called for sustained peace, reconciliation and inclusive governance.
- Cultural Showcase: Traditional dances and parades reflected the rich heritage of the Tiv, Idoma and Igede ethnic nationalities.
- Notable Attendees: Former Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Ooni of Ife, the Tor Tiv (James Ayatse), and the Och’Idoma (John Ogbodo).
Digital Economy Takes Centre Stage at Benue @50
A defining feature of the Golden Jubilee was the spotlight on digital transformation, led by the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC).
To commemorate 50 years of statehood, BDIC—backed by the Benue State Government—launched a special initiative offering 50% discounts on locally branded digital devices, aimed at expanding access to technology and deepening digital inclusion across the state.
Powering Digital Access Through Local Devices
As part of the Benue @50 celebrations, BDIC rolled out a limited promotional sale of four locally manufactured digital products, with 50 units available per category on a first-come, first-served basis. The initiative reflects the state’s strategy of linking affordability, local manufacturing and digital skills development.
Available Benue @50 Digital Offers
Option 1: BDIC-Manufactured Laptops (50% Discount)
Original Price: ₦1,250,000
Discounted Price: ₦625,000
Key specifications include a 14.1-inch Full HD display, Windows 11, 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD—positioning the device for productivity, learning and enterprise use.
Option 2: BDIC-Manufactured Tablets (50% Discount)
Original Price: ₦240,000
Discounted Price: ₦120,000
The tablets support 3G/4G LTE connectivity, Android OS, 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, making them suitable for students, small businesses and digital entrepreneurs.
Option 3: BDIC-Manufactured Smart Projectors (50% Discount)
Original Price: ₦520,000
Discounted Price: ₦260,000
With Full HD resolution and Android OS, the smart projectors are designed for classrooms, training centres and collaborative workspaces.
Option 4: BDIC-Manufactured All-in-One Desktops (50% Discount)
Original Price: ₦827,511.72
Discounted Price: ₦413,755.86
The all-in-one desktops feature 12th Gen Intel processors, 16GB RAM and Full HD displays, targeting offices, institutions and digital hubs.
How to Participate in the Jubilee Digital Offer
Interested buyers are required to:
- Select one of the four product options.
- Choose a single item number (1–50).
- Submit full name, address, phone number and NIN.
- Apply via WhatsApp (+234 803 057 9782) or email ([email protected]).
Payment instructions are issued only if the selected item number is still available. Allocation is strictly first-come, first-served.
Beyond Discounts: The Broader “Digital Benue” Vision
The Golden Jubilee also served as a milestone for BDIC’s long-term Digital Benue Project, a five-year strategy aimed at creating 350,000 digital jobs and repositioning the state within Nigeria’s digital economy.
Key milestones include:
- E-Commerce Expansion: Deployment of 273 digital e-commerce hubs across all council wards, in partnership with Huawei Technologies.
- Local Manufacturing: Transition from device assembly to establishing a full-scale computer assembly and manufacturing plant within Benue State.
- Digital Security & Mapping: Completion of 70% of a drone and satellite border-mapping project with Proforce Galaxies, supporting real-time intelligence and a new Command & Control Centre in Makurdi.
From Golden Jubilee to Digital Future
As Benue celebrates 50 years of statehood, the integration of digital infrastructure, local manufacturing and job creation into its jubilee narrative signals a clear policy direction. Under Governor Alia’s administration, Benue is positioning itself not only as Nigeria’s agricultural backbone, but also as an emerging participant in the country’s fast-evolving digital economy.
