Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has been named Digital Governor of the Year 2026 at the Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards. His chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula, announced it in a statement on Wednesday, October 14. The awards come from the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), a federal agency under the Presidency. Benue is better known for farming than for fibre. So this is a proud moment, and many Benue people will be glad to see their home recognised for technology and good governance.
States were compared on digital service delivery, infrastructure, institutional readiness, transparency, innovation and partnerships. Mr Kula said recognition becomes “an affirmation of performance.” We have not found a BPSR statement on the 2026 winners or on how states were scored. So these details come from the governor’s office. The ceremony date was not given. Last year’s event was held in Aso Villa.
In 2025, the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) won Best State ICT Agency. The state set up BDIC in 2024. That year, the head of the state’s primary education board was also recognised. He introduced computer-based testing for teacher recruitment. BDIC’s chief executive, Terwase Gbande-Hembaor, said the award reflected the governor’s leadership.
Mr Kula says 30,000 state and local government workers have been trained in digital tools and data privacy since 2025. Earlier reports show a five-day training drive in March 2025 aimed at 40,000 workers. It launched with a document management system and a land portal called BENGIS. For young people, the statement says 10,000 youths have been trained. Another 20,000 are in training with Cisco Networking Academy and BDIC. A February 2026 report described a free Cisco-backed programme for 23,000 youths. These numbers differ. It is wise to ask BDIC for one up-to-date count.
The government says it opened a special ICT centre for persons with disabilities and trained two cohorts. It approved a digital register for artisans. The aim is to help skilled workers get found, referred and trained. Children had technology boot camps in 2025 and 2026. A permanent training centre for the digital economy and e-governance is being built at the Benue Public Service Institute. We could not confirm each item independently. The artisan register is approved, but we found no report that it is running.
In August 2025, BDIC launched an e-parliament system for the State House of Assembly. It allows paperless work, online petitions, virtual hearings and live access to proceedings. BDIC calls it Nigeria’s first fully digital state legislature. We could not check that “first.” The government also says it granted free right of way to telecom operators and acted against illegal tax collection. The aim is to attract broadband investment. It reports a contract for 3,500 computers and high-end servers, and fibre links to government offices.
The government promises faster records, fewer delays from paper files and clearer accountability. Mr Kula also said the real value lies in finishing ongoing projects. He wants digital services to reach rural communities as well as towns. That is the right goal. Good internet, steady power and training in local languages will decide how many people feel the change. Residents can help by using the portals and giving feedback to BDIC and local leaders. Congratulations to the people and public servants of Benue State.
Sources: Statement by Tersoo Kula, chief press secretary to the governor, as reported by Jerrywright Ukwu on October 15, 2026 (taken from the report text shared with us; we found no other coverage of the 2026 award yet); IT Edge News on BDIC’s 2025 award; BPSR on the 2025 GovTech summit; Nairametrics on the 2025 civil servant training; AllAfrica on the 23,000 youth programme; IT Edge News on the e-parliament. Award details and programme figures are as stated by the Benue State Government CPS.
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