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Benue State Participates in DGA 2025 Summit in Lusaka, Zambia
The Digital Government Africa (DGA) Summit 2025, held in Lusaka, Zambia, from October 7 to 9. It convened over 1,200 delegates from 25 African countries to chart a unified course for Africa’s digital transformation. Hosted under the patronage of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, the summit featured high-level policy sessions, technical panels, and strategic dialogues on digital governance, e-Government infrastructure, cybersecurity, and public-private partnerships.
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Representing Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Deputy Governor Dr. Sam Ode led a distinguished Benue State delegation of ICT and governance experts to the three-day event.
Benue’s Delegation and Strategic Focus Areas
The Benue delegation included:
- Mr. Zaki Asen – Special Adviser on International & Global Partnerships
- Hon. Uta Stephen – Executive Secretary, Bureau of Mining and Mineral Resources
- Hon. Terwase Gbande – MD/CEO, Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC)
- Mr. Joel Karkaa Shirgba – Science, Technology, and Innovation Specialist
- Mr. Solomon Kershima Yateghtegh – Startup Ecosystem Builder & Digital Transformation Expert
These experts participated in various forums focused on e-Government, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, smart agriculture, and broadband development.
Showcasing Benue’s Digital Governance Milestones
At a high-level session on Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Cybersecurity in Governance, Dr. Ode unveiled Benue State’s impressive digital roadmap, highlighting:
- Deployment of fiber-optic connectivity to 17 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs)
- Creation of the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) as a PPP-led ICT backbone
- Launch of Benue e-Parliament, Nigeria’s first fully digital legislative platform, reducing paper use by 60%
- Plans to boost broadband penetration from under 20% to over 70% by 2027
BENDISMEA and the Future of Benue’s Digital Economy
Dr. Ode also announced the establishment of the Benue Digital Infrastructure Services Management and Enforcement Agency (BENDISMEA). This is a regulatory institution designed to safeguard digital rights of citizens and investors alike. He emphasized that under Governor Alia’s leadership, Benue has risen to become Nigeria’s second-leading state in digital governance. The state is ranked second only to Lagos State.
Driving Investment and Partnerships Across Africa
Calling on African tech investors and policymakers, Dr. Ode invited them to explore the Benue Model of ICT Transformation. He highlighted the state’s commitment to youth empowerment, transparent governance, and technology-driven development.
Benue’s engagement also included sideline meetings with international organizations, technology partners like Visa, Oracle, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, as well as with development agencies focused on cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital skills training.
Strengthening Ties with Zambia
In a bilateral meeting with the Zambian Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ode discussed a prospective Zambia–Benue ICT partnership. He formally requested a state visit invitation from President Hichilema to deepen subnational collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two governments.
A United Digital Africa: Benue Takes the Lead
The DGA 2025 Summit concluded with a strong call for continental digital unity. Benue State’s participation underscored its readiness to lead the charge toward a digitally inclusive, innovation-driven Africa. Governor Alia’s administration continues to invest in young digital professionals, positioning Benue as a top destination for technology investment and smart governance in Nigeria.
