By Amos Aar
THE BENUE State Government has faulted a recent governance performance report by the United Kingdom-based Good Governance Rating Index (GGRI), which listed Benue among the worst-governed states in Nigeria. The government described the report as “misleading, contextually hollow, and fundamentally flawed.”
Reacting on behalf of the state government, Chief Solomon Iorpev, Technical Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communications, on a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday said the report failed to reflect the realities on the ground and ignored the significant strides made under Governor Alia’s administration.
According to Iorpev, the GGRI’s midterm review, which placed Kwara, Zamfara, and Benue at the bottom of its 2023–2025 governance ranking, relied on questionable parameters and outdated data that did not account for the peculiar security and socio-economic challenges facing Benue.
He noted that any credible assessment of governance must consider context, especially the impact of recurring herders’ attacks and federal security limitations that have shaped the state’s trajectory.
“The GGRI’s overreliance on unofficial and unverified data, without contextual understanding, undermines its credibility,” Iorpev stated. “The report’s claim that insecurity, poverty, and governance failures have combined to push the state deeper into crisis is completely untrue and misrepresents the progress we have made.”
He argued that, contrary to the report’s claims, Governor Alia’s administration has stabilized the state and implemented far-reaching reforms across key sectors, health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, security, and youth empowerment, all of which have positively impacted the lives of citizens.
In the health sector, Iorpev said the government has transformed the Benue State University Teaching Hospital from what was once a “death trap” into a vibrant centre for medical services. He disclosed that a new cancer treatment centre, poised to be the largest in West Africa upon completion, is under construction. In addition, the state has embarked on the revitalization of primary healthcare facilities across all local government areas while ensuring prompt payment of entitlements to medical staff and students to avoid disruption in the training of healthcare workers.
In education, the Alia-led administration has improved infrastructure across public schools, with ongoing construction of storey buildings in primary schools through SUBEB. He said 9,700 new teachers have been recruited to strengthen the education sector, while the state awarded scholarships to 44 first-class graduates of the Benue State University. The administration has also promoted girl-child education, sponsored students abroad for further studies, and established a Bureau for Education Quality Assurance to monitor and maintain standards.
On infrastructure, Iorpev listed ongoing construction of over 390 kilometres of roads across the 23 local government areas, including underpass projects in Makurdi and Gboko aimed at easing traffic and enhancing safety. He added that the administration has expanded solar-powered lighting across urban and rural communities, while major government structures such as the State Secretariat and House of Assembly are being renovated.
Speaking on agriculture, the aide said Governor Alia has initiated what he described as “a massive agricultural revolution” aimed at stimulating food security and job creation. The state has launched the Smallholder Farmer Outgrower Programme in partnership with Mass International & Equipment Nig. Ltd and SABASPAC International, targeting 300 farmers in 10 pilot clusters. The programme seeks to integrate farmers into mechanized and commercial agriculture, with guaranteed produce markets, inputs, and technical support.
He also noted the introduction of youth-focused initiatives such as Young Farmers Clubs and the CRF Scheme to encourage participation in farming, alongside timely distribution of fertilizers, seeds, and herbicides.
According to Iorpev, beyond agriculture, the Alia administration has taken steps to empower citizens, women, and youths through the Alia Cares initiative, offering training, financial support, and relief materials to vulnerable families and flood victims. A ₦5 billion palliative fund has also been secured to cushion the effects of economic hardship on residents.
In terms of industrial revitalization, Iorpev said several moribund state-owned enterprises have been revived, including Benue Printing and Publishing Company, Benue Breweries (now renamed Zeva), and Benue Links Transport Company. Through the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), the state has established a bread factory, water bottling plant, nail manufacturing firm, and juice factory—all creating jobs and boosting local economic activity. Plans are also underway for the construction of a state-owned airport to enhance investment inflows.
Addressing the security concerns cited by GGRI, Iorpev stressed that while policing and internal security largely fall under federal control, the state government has made notable progress in protecting lives and property. He highlighted the establishment of Operation Anyam Nyor, a joint task force involving all security agencies, and the creation of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards to support intelligence gathering and community-level surveillance.
“To ensure operational efficiency, Governor Alia has donated 100 Hilux vehicles and 600 motorcycles to security agencies across the state,” he said. “These efforts have resulted in relative peace and improved security coordination.”
He further emphasized that the administration has consistently paid salaries and pensions, supported internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their homes, and maintained transparency in governance.
“What other indicators of good governance are there,” Iorpev asked, “when the government has improved access to healthcare, strengthened education, constructed roads, supported agriculture, empowered citizens, revived industries, and sustained peace?”
He therefore dismissed the GGRI’s classification as “an unfortunate distortion of reality,” urging the organization and the public to verify facts on the ground before passing judgment.
“In conclusion, Benue State is not among the worst-governed states in Nigeria. The Alia administration is deeply committed to transparency, accountability, and development. We are proud of the progress we have made and will continue to build on it for the benefit of our people”, Iorpev maintained.
