Benue, Circuits Alliance Unveil $15m Creative Fund, Target 300,000 Jobs For Youth

The Benue State Government has launched the $15 million Benue Creative Impact Fund (BCIF), in partnership Circuits Global Solution Limited (also known as Circuits TV), a landmark intervention designed to empower young people, deepen innovation, and expand the state’s visibility within Africa’s fast-growing creative industry.

The unveiling ceremony, held on Friday at Government House, Makurdi, was performed by Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Barr. Sam Ode.

Governor Alia, in his remarks, described the initiative as a major milestone in the economic transformation agenda of his administration.

“This is a defining moment for our state. We are launching a bold and visionary programme that will empower our youth, stimulate economic growth, and position Benue among Africa’s next creative powerhouses,” he said.

The BCIF, launched in partnership with Circuits, an African digital content distribution platform, will provide creatives with access to funding, studio spaces, training, mentorship, digital production tools, and global market opportunities.

According to Governor Alia, the fund is projected to create over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs, strengthen creative enterprises, and expand opportunities for thousands of young talents across the state.

“Benue’s creativity is an economic asset. With the right support, our cultural identity – Tiv, Idoma, and Igede – can be projected globally while creating jobs and attracting investors,” he added.

He explained that the global creative industry has become a trillion-dollar contributor to GDP and one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors. With the BCIF, he said, Benue was strategically positioning itself to tap into this economic wave.

Alia also highlighted earlier groundwork laid by his administration, including the establishment of the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), ICT training for 23,000 youths across all 23 LGAs, and the digital upskilling of 40,000 civil servants to enhance public service delivery.

Other investments cited included the creation of the Bureau for Culture and Tourism, support for 30 entrepreneurs during the Benue Inventors and Entrepreneurs Exhibition, backing for the Benue Men’s Fashion Week, and the Benue Fashion Hub, all geared toward building a vibrant innovation ecosystem.

“Our vision is to build systems that enable filmmakers, musicians, designers, digital creators, and storytellers to produce world-class content right here in Benue. This fund marks the beginning of a new era of creativity, innovation, and global influence,” he said.

Governor Alia noted that the BCIF has already attracted interest from private investors, corporate organizations, and development partners eager to be part of the state’s creative transformation.

“We are not just launching a fund. We are laying the foundation for a creative economy that will boost our GDP, empower our youth, and redefine Benue’s contribution to Nigeria’s economic future,” he said.

Speaking at the unveiling, Imade Bibowei-Osuobeni, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Circuits, explained the strategic importance of the Creative Impact Fund in bridging development gaps across Nigerian states.

Bibowei-Osuobeni, alongside Maria Etemore Glover, CEO of Impact Investors Foundation (IIF), and filmmaker Amina Atairu, described the fund as a model for strengthening sub-national creative economies.

“The Creative Impact Fund is our strategic approach to partnering with sub-national governments to grow the creative economy within states. Our goal is to create jobs, stimulate economic activity, expand opportunities for young people, and boost internally generated revenue for the state,” Bibowei-Osuobeni stated.

She emphasised that Circuits was committed to ensuring that creative talents in Benue gain access to digital tools, infrastructure, market linkages, and sustainable financing that will enable them to compete globally.

Benue State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Prof. Timothy Ornguga, and Ms. Bibowei-Osuobeni signed the partnership on behalf of the state government and Circuits, respectively.

The event drew a diverse audience of creative industry leaders, investors, development partners, and senior government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Moses Atagher, among others.