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In a glittering ceremony held on Friday, 28th November 2025 at the NAF Conference Centre Abuja, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) bestowed its prestigious 2025 Digital Excellence Award on the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for pioneering what many now call the most ambitious digital transformation ever undertaken by a Nigerian subnational.
The Deputy Governor, Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, mni, received the award on behalf of Governor Alia in the presence of the Group Managing Director/CEO of Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) and the President/CEO of Africa Digital Infrastructure Company (AfDIC).
ATCON described Governor Alia’s leadership as “visionary and transformative,” singling out landmark initiatives that have repositioned Benue as one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising digital states. Among the achievements celebrated:
– Introduction of Free Right of Way (RoW) for all telecom operators laying fibre optic cables, an unprecedented move that has triggered massive private-sector investment and accelerated broadband penetration across the state.
– Convening the first-ever Benue Telecommunications Summit, which brought regulators, industry giants, and operators together to tackle sectoral bottlenecks and forge stronger partnerships.
– Deployment of fibre connectivity across all 18 Medical Diagnostic Areas (MDAs) and the rollout of widespread public broadband infrastructure.
– Training of 10,000 Benue youths in digital skills, with another 23,000-youth programme already underway in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth, Sports and Creativity.
– Ongoing digital governance training for 40,000 civil servants.
– Creation of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the Benue State Digital Infrastructure Services Management Enforcement Agency, and the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) as the state’s public-private digital hub.
Sources close to BDIC and AfDIC say the national recognition will further energise the administration’s drive toward total digital inclusion, youth empowerment, and the building of a knowledge-driven economy that leaves no community behind.
With broadband expanding, thousands of young people gaining globally competitive skills, and government services going digital at an astonishing pace, Benue under Governor Alia is proving that even states once seen as purely agricultural can leapfrog into the front rank of Nigeria’s digital future.
Congratulations, Your Excellency. The food basket is fast becoming the digital basket as well.
