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The Benue State Government has solidified its commitment to harnessing advanced space and geospatial technologies by deepening its strategic partnership with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). This development follows a high-level engagement hosted by Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia with NASRDA officials in Makurdi on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
During the meeting, Governor Alia expressed strong optimism about the collaboration, assuring that his administration would actively pursue the strategic initiatives proposed by NASRDA. Key projects under consideration include the establishment of an Agro-Processing Industrial Park, an Agro-Allied Airport, and a dedicated Space Centre for Precision Agriculture. He described the timing of the partnership as ideal, noting that NASRDA’s programmes align seamlessly with his administration’s vision for transformative development.
Governor Alia highlighted his government’s early focus on efficiency, accountability, and data-driven reforms, pointing to the successful elimination of ghost workers and ghost schools, which has generated savings exceeding N2.5 billion for the state. Emphasizing the transformative potential of space and geospatial technologies, he urged NASRDA to prioritize setting up a Space Centre in Benue and conducting comprehensive satellite mapping of the state to enhance agriculture, land administration, infrastructure planning, security, and revenue generation.
He pledged full support for the partnership and instructed his Technical Support Team—led by Shirgba Joel Karkaa, Solomon Yateghtegh, and Zaki Asen—to immediately follow up on discussions and work closely with NASRDA for swift implementation of agreed programmes.
Leading a delegation of senior experts in space science, geospatial intelligence, and satellite applications, NASRDA Director-General Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju reiterated the agency’s longstanding contributions to national security, environmental monitoring, agriculture, education, infrastructure planning, and economic development. He outlined specific solutions such as precision agriculture and crop monitoring, geospatial mapping of schools and critical infrastructure, project monitoring and evaluation, land administration systems, revenue optimization, and satellite-enabled security and surveillance.
Dr. Adepoju affirmed NASRDA’s commitment to establishing the proposed Space Centre in collaboration with the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology, Ihugh, with the goal of positioning Benue as a leading sub-national model for applying advanced space science and geospatial intelligence in governance, economic planning, and sustainable development.
This partnership marks a forward-thinking move by the Alia administration to leverage cutting-edge technology in addressing local challenges, particularly in the agriculture-dominated economy of Benue, widely regarded as the Food Basket of the Nation.
Sir Terso Kula, mnipr
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
