Benue State has begun the transition from a civil-service-dependent economy to a value-driven agricultural and industrial hub, according to the management of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC).
Speaking during a media interaction in Makurdi, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, stated that the state has recorded a significant economic turnaround, moving from a negative growth rate of 2.3 per cent to what he described as a period of industrial and agricultural expansion.
He explained that this shift has been driven by deliberate investments in agro-processing and manufacturing, which add value to Benue’s vast agricultural output and create sustainable employment opportunities for residents.
Asemakaha revealed that the establishment of industries such as bread, water, juice and brewery factories has already created employment for more than 400 young people, helping to reduce youth unemployment and stimulate local economic activity.
According to him, the focus is no longer solely on subsistence farming, but on building value chains that process agricultural produce within the state.
“These investments are helping us move away from a consumption-driven economy to one that produces, processes and adds value,” he said.
The BIPC boss disclosed that the state government is also investing in infrastructure to support business growth, including the construction of a Presidential Hotel to cater for investors and business travellers.
He added that a new cement factory is being developed through a ₦10 billion bond facility, further strengthening Benue’s industrial base and supporting construction and agricultural logistics.
Addressing concerns surrounding the state’s brewery project, Asemakaha stated that the facility is progressing steadily toward full production and automation by February 2026.
He noted that the brewery would begin rolling out trailers of bottled and canned beer, adding that the long-term goal is to ensure that agricultural produce such as oranges and mangoes is processed locally rather than transported out of the state.
On market entry and competition, Asemakaha explained that BIPC is adopting a cautious distribution strategy to protect its assets.
“Our bottles and crates are assets. We are selecting distributors with the capacity to safeguard them, because we must protect the investments made on behalf of the people of Benue,” he said.
Industry observers say Benue’s renewed focus on agro-processing and industrialisation could strengthen food security, increase youth employment and position the state as a major agro-industrial hub in North-Central Nigeria.
Source: Leadership News
Image Credit: Benue’s Investment
