Benue Seals Investment Deal To Create 10,000 Jobs

The Benue State Government has entered into a Public-Private Partnership with Kaotheem Energy Services Limited (Hudson Global), in collaboration with Taicorp Capital Partners, in a move designed to mobilise global capital for transformative investments across key sectors of the state’s economy.

The partnership targets strategic investments in education and innovation, agro-industrial processing, infrastructure, enterprise development and inclusive wealth creation, according to a statement issued by the technical adviser to the governor on media, publicity and strategic communication, Chief Solomon Iorpev.

Iorpev said the initiative is projected to generate more than 10,000 jobs when fully operational, positioning Benue for accelerated industrial growth.

He stated that a major component of the partnership is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which he described as critical to the state’s transition from a traditional agrarian economy to a modern industrial powerhouse.

“Thus transforming raw agricultural abundance into high-value products while leveraging AI-based cutting-edge technology,” the statement said.

The aide further explained that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, embarked on the partnership with a clear industrialisation strategy anchored on research and innovation.

“This partnership is undertaken with the clear understanding that for industrialisation to be sustainable, it must be research-based, and the establishment of the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology presents an opportunity to bridge the gap between academic theory and industrial application,” the statement said.

According to the government, Benue’s strong agricultural base — including high yields of yams, soya beans, cassava and maize — provides the foundation for establishing a world-class agro-processing hub that converts raw produce into finished, export-ready goods.

The statement noted that yam flour would be produced for both domestic and international markets, tomatoes processed into paste to reduce post-harvest losses, and soya beans transformed into refined products to deepen value addition.

“This partnership will support the efforts of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, in setting up the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology, Ihugh, and activate the agricultural value chain required to feed the nation and transform Benue into the Agricultural Hub of Africa, thus solving the problem of food insecurity,” the statement added.

The government said the initiative marks a decisive step toward repositioning Benue from a raw-produce economy to a technology-enabled agro-industrial centre capable of attracting global investment and driving inclusive growth.