Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has revealed that the newly established University of Agriculture, Science and Technology located in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area, was created to meet the increasing demand for higher education and to drive economic growth through agricultural development.
Governor Alia made this known during his state-wide broadcast in Makurdi on Thursday, as part of activities marking his second year in office. He explained that the new university is a strategic step towards equipping the state’s teeming youth population with relevant skills and knowledge to boost productivity in agriculture, science, and technology sectors.
According to the governor, the university is not just a higher institution but a deliberate intervention aimed at empowering the youth, ensuring food security, and producing skilled manpower to stimulate Benue’s economy. He said the institution would serve as a centre of excellence for training future innovators, agripreneurs, and researchers.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to educational reform, Alia disclosed that over 9,000 qualified teachers were recruited through a transparent Computer-Based Testing process – the first of its kind in the state’s history. He emphasized that this initiative is a reflection of his government’s prioritisation of education as a key pillar for development.
In a bold move to improve welfare and boost morale in the public service, the governor announced the approval of a new ₦75,000 minimum wage for teachers and all state civil servants. He stressed that this adjustment is part of ongoing efforts to recognise and reward the critical role that educators and civil workers play in nation-building.
Governor Alia highlighted several infrastructural strides made in the education sector under his administration. He noted that over 253 schools have either been constructed or renovated across the state, with many featuring modern multi-storey designs. These schools are equipped with essential facilities, including libraries, sanitary systems, perimeter fencing, and over 13,000 units of classroom furniture, with special provisions for Early Childhood Care and Development Education.
He also mentioned the introduction of computer-based learning in model institutions such as the UBEC Smart School in Makurdi, describing it as a pilot initiative that will soon be extended to other schools in the state to deepen digital literacy among students.
On youth empowerment, Alia announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art fashion and ICT hub in Makurdi in partnership with the Federal Government. The initiative is geared towards tapping into the talents of young Benue indigenes, encouraging entrepreneurship in the creative and digital sectors, and positioning the state as a major player in ICT and garment production nationwide.
The governor also addressed the security situation in the state, stating that when his administration came into office in 2023, it inherited a fragile security landscape. He said that significant efforts have since been made to restore peace and order, with the creation of Operation Anyam Nyôr – a legally backed security outfit designed to strengthen law enforcement capacity and tackle criminal elements decisively.
He disclosed that his government has provided operational vehicles, including Hilux vans, motorcycles, and other logistics to mainstream and auxiliary security agencies, to ensure better response and coverage across vulnerable communities.
Alia assured residents that the state government is actively pursuing criminal elements, including armed herders and bandits, and vowed that they would soon be neutralised. He reiterated his administration’s determination to make Benue a safe and prosperous state for all its citizens.
As his administration marks its second year, Governor Alia reaffirmed his commitment to delivering purposeful governance, with education, security, youth empowerment, and economic revitalisation as key priorities moving forward.
