The Benue State Government has concluded a strategic planning process aimed at transforming the state’s economy by 2035, with a proposed $5 billion Economic Development Fund at the centre of the plan. The initiative, known as the Benue 2035 SASI Journey, brought together government officials, technical teams and international advisory……
The Benue State Government has concluded a strategic planning process aimed at transforming the state’s economy by 2035, with a proposed $5 billion Economic Development Fund at the centre of the plan.
The initiative, known as the Benue 2035 SASI Journey, brought together government officials, technical teams and international advisory firm Hudson Global to develop an investment and implementation framework for the state.
According to a statement by the Benue State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Solomon Iorpev, here are the things to know about the Benue 2035 Economic Transformation, Capital Formation and Prosperity Plan:
1. What is the Benue 2035 plan?
The Benue 2035 plan is a long-term economic transformation framework designed to move the state from relying largely on its existing potential to creating sustainable economic growth, investment and improved living standards.
The strategic planning engagement was concluded on Wednesday under the theme, “From Potential to Prosperity.”
According to the state government, the objective is to develop a disciplined and executable investment plan rather than another policy document.
2. What is the proposed $5 billion fund?
The Benue Economic Development Fund is the centrepiece of the state’s proposed capital-raising strategy.
The government said the fund is designed as a “$5 billion capital-raising platform, multilaterally mobilized between Benue State and Hudson Global” to finance projects contained in the transformation portfolio.
3. What does the government want to achieve by 2035?
The plan is ultimately focused on improving the quality of life of residents.
The government identified jobs, security, power, water and high quality of life as the major outcomes against which the implementation of the plan will be measured.
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It said the central promise of Benue 2035 is “a state economy strong enough, and institutions disciplined enough” to deliver these outcomes.
4. What are the seven strategic priorities?
The technical teams identified seven strategic imperatives for the transformation agenda.
They are:
Accountable, results-oriented governance
Stronger public institutions
Human capacity transformation
Technology and digital infrastructure
Benue Economic Development Fund
Strategic infrastructure and a competitive market architecture
Social welfare and human development
The government said these priorities are intended to provide the foundation for implementing the broader economic transformation programme.
5. Which sectors will receive attention?
The plan identifies seven priority areas where investment under the proposed $5 billion pathway is expected to flow.
They include agriculture and agro-industry, industry and manufacturing, infrastructure and connectivity, people and human capital, innovation and technology, sustainability and resilience, and investment and inclusive growth.
6. Why is agriculture important to the plan?
Agriculture remains central to Benue’s economic potential, but the government said the focus will be on moving beyond the production of raw commodities.
The plan places emphasis on agro-industry, which involves converting agricultural resources into processed and higher-value products.
According to the government, this approach is expected to help ensure that economic growth translates into opportunities and income for households across the state.
7. What benefits should residents expect?
The government said residents should expect improvements in several areas if the plan is successfully implemented.
These include:
Higher quality of life
Better health outcomes
Greater employment and business opportunities
A stronger and more diversified economy
Safer communities
The plan particularly highlights opportunities for young people and small businesses.
8. How will the government ensure the plan is implemented?
The Benue 2035 framework introduces a series of tests that proposed initiatives must pass before they proceed.
The government said each strategic choice must demonstrate that it advances the state’s development goals, has the required foundation, converts comparative advantages into greater value and has a clear financing pathway.
It must also have clear ownership and governance, demonstrate the appropriate use of technology or innovation and match its ambitions with the organisational capacity required for implementation.
According to the statement, “Any initiative failing even one test is sent back for redesign rather than allowed to proceed.”
9. What did Governor Alia say about the plan?
Governor Hyacinth Alia, who commissioned the strategic planning process, charged participants to approach the exercise with a focus on implementation and measurable impact.
He urged them to “think boldly, focus, learn first, build to execute, and change lives.”
The governor also emphasised that a Greater Benue is possible and would require collective efforts to achieve it.
10. Is Benue 2035 another government conference or report?
The state government says it is not.
The plan specifically rejects the idea of producing another report without a clear implementation pathway.
According to the statement, the success of the initiative will not be measured by the number of ideas generated, but by whether the selected strategic priorities can fundamentally change the state’s economic trajectory.
11. What is the bigger goal of Benue 2035?
The broader ambition is to build a more diversified and productive state economy supported by stronger institutions, infrastructure, human capital and investment.
The government said the plan is intended to create a pathway where economic potential is converted into jobs, income, improved public services and a higher standard of living for residents.
