Benue Government Signs Historic PPP Agreement With Rexzodeneh Group For National Food City Project

The Benue State Government has signed a landmark Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with Rexzodeneh Group Limited (RGL) to establish a multi-sectoral National Food City Complex in Otukpo Local Government Area. The agreement, signed exactly one month after the initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 8th April 2025, marks the first formal PPP agreement in the State’s 50-year history and a major milestone under the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Speaking during the ceremony held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Honourable Commissioner, Prof. Moses Ogbaji, described the project as a direct outcome of Governor Alia’s clear policy direction to industrialise agriculture, improve food security, and unlock rural prosperity through private capital and innovation.

“This agreement reflects Governor Alia’s policy thrust—industrialising agriculture for jobs, food sufficiency, and rural development. We are confident this project will deliver immense value, but let me be clear: the State Government will not hesitate to enforce contractual obligations if delivery timelines are not met,” Prof. Ogbaji stated.

The National Food City Project is designed as an integrated agri-industrial hub. It will involve the cultivation of over 30,000 hectares of mechanised farmland, the establishment of agro-processing facilities for crops such as rice, cassava, maize, and soybeans, and the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure with a generation capacity of up to 25 megawatts to power operations on-site. Complementary infrastructure—including staff housing, clinics, internal roads, and warehouse facilities—will ensure the sustainability and long-term impact of the development.

The National Food City Complex will be delivered under a Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) framework. The State Government will provide land and critical infrastructure, while RGL will finance, build, and manage the facility for 25 years before transferring ownership to the state.

Mr. Terhemen Johnpaul Kpenkaan, Executive Secretary of the Benue Investment Promotion Agency (BENIPA), who coordinated the investment process, highlighted the rigorous steps taken by the government to ensure project credibility and viability:

“Following the MoU signed in April, we activated a robust due diligence process involving technical appraisals, regulatory clearances, and financial verification, including confirmation of funding capacity from the participating banks. This agreement is a result of that thorough groundwork. It is historic, given that it is the first formal PPP agreement in the 49 years’ existence of Benue as a state; and it sets a new benchmark for credible, investor-ready engagements as a hallmark of the Governor Alia-led administration,” Kpenkaan said.

In his remarks, Engr. Femi Apata, Group Managing Director of Rexzodeneh Group, expressed appreciation to the Governor and stakeholders for their support and pledged that tangible progress would be seen within 90 days.

“This project has been in development for three years. We now have the platform to deliver meaningful impact across agriculture, energy, and job creation in Benue,” he noted.

Hon. Kennedy Angbo, Member of the Benue State House of Assembly representing Otukpo/Akpa Constituency, thanked Governor Alia for siting the project in Otukpo, describing it as a transformative opportunity for the zone.

“This project guarantees food sufficiency, jobs, and renewed opportunity for our people. We will ensure maximum support from the host community,” he affirmed.

Also present at the event were Hon. Omale Omale, Commissioner for Power, Renewable Energy and Transport, and Hon. Manasseh Alumo Orpin, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, both of whom lauded the project’s alignment with the administration’s broader development priorities.

“The National Food City Complex stands as a bold affirmation of Governor Alia’s agenda to build a secure, prosperous, and economically inclusive Benue State,” they said.

The PPP agreement was officially signed by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture on behalf of the Benue State Government and by the Chairman of Rexzodeneh Group for the private sector. The Executive Secretary of BENIPA and the Group Managing Director of RGL served as affirming parties.

The ceremony concluded with photographs and a renewed commitment by all parties to deliver the project on time and in full.