Benue State

Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia (APC, born 15 May 1966 in Vandeikya LGA) has served as Governor of Benue State since 29 May 2023. A Roman Catholic priest holding a doctorate in Biomedical Ethics from Duquesne University, he is only the second Catholic priest to lead the state. In early 2026 he signed a ₦695 billion 'Budget of Rural Development, Livelihood Support, and Sustained Growth,' prioritizing feeder roads and rural electrification.

Benue State was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Benue-Plateau State, one of seven states formed that year. It takes its name from the Benue River, Nigeria's second-largest, whose Tiv-language name 'Ber-nor' (river of hippopotamus) was anglicized by colonial administrators. In 1991, its Igala-speaking areas were carved off, along with parts of Kwara State, to help form Kogi State. Its official 2006 census population was 4,253,641.

Known as the 'Food Basket of the Nation' and the 'Heartbeat of the Middle Belt,' with Otukpo serving as the traditional and administrative capital of the Idoma people.

• Benue River waterfront, Makurdi
• Ikpayongo Fish Festival grounds
• Kwande hills

One of Nigeria's leading agricultural states, cultivating yam, soybeans, rice, sesame, and citrus at scale, and often cited as the country's largest yam producer.

Yam · Soybean · Rice · Cassava · Citrus · Sesame

A 2026 budget of ₦695 billion emphasizes rural transformation, climate-smart agricultural infrastructure, and urban renewal in Makurdi, including drainage and housing improvements.

Agriculture & agro-processing · Solid minerals · Entertainment

Benue State University · Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi