Benue State, long celebrated as Nigeria’s “Food Basket”is taking a decisive leap from primary crop cultivation to full-scale agro-industrialization.
The state government has officially executed a contract to establish the National Food City Complex—a massive 30,000-hectare integrated processing ecosystem spanning Otukpo, Obi, and Ado Local Government Areas.
The epoch-making event took place at the Old Banquet Hall of the Benue State Government House.
Traditional rulers, community leaders from Ogyoma Akpa, state lawmakers, and private investors gather for what officials are calling a historic turning point for Benue’s economy.
Deputy Governor Sam Ode, representing Governor Hyacinth Alia, led the state delegation to seal the contract, bringing months of intense due diligence and cross-border negotiations to a close.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Alia, the Deputy Governor emphasised that Benue will no longer serve merely as a supplier of raw agricultural commodities, but as an industrial processing hub.
President General of the host community, Akweya community development association is backing the project and the administration of govenror Hyacinth Alia to bring the project to fruition.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the ceremony, the project manager said, urban migration will be addressed as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to perform the grond breaking ceremony
With signatures officially appended, the deal opens up 30,000 hectares—starting from Ogyoma Akpa in Otukpo, extending into Obi and Ado Local Government Areas—for modern agricultural processing infrastructure.
Over forty thousand small holder famers now have opportunity to participate in Benue’s first commercial mechanized integrated farm system with projected twenty thousand direct jobs.
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(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
