Benue seeks UN assistance for community security, flood control, education, others

The Benue State Government has appealed to the United Nations for support on its Climate Resilience Compact, focusing on River Benue restoration, dredging, flood control, and climate-smart agriculture.

Governor Hyacinth Alia made the request during Amina Mohammed’s, UN Deputy Secretary-General, official visit.

He also sought partnership on a UN-Benue Agro-Industrial and Mechanisation Initiative to boost mechanised farming and position Benue as an agro-industrial hub.

Governor Alia further appealed for UN help in establishing a platform for quality education for displaced children, healthcare systems, and water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure.

According to him, “we are also requesting the UN to support us in the area of Stabilization and Community Security Compact, to institutionalize early warning systems, protect communities, and enable safe return of displaced populations”

In the area of Sustainable Financing Mechanism, the governor said, “we seek the establishment of a Benue SDG Transition and Resilience Financing Facility, a pooled funding platform to scale impact across all sectors”.

Governor Alia said, “your Excellency, Benue is ready. Ready to lead. Ready to partner. Ready to deliver results that matters, not just for our people, but as a model for Nigeria and the global community.

“What we seek is not charity, but collaboration. Not isolated projects, but integrated systems. Not temporary relief, but lasting transformation, together, we can turn vulnerability into resilience, displacement into opportunity, and pottential into prosperity and we invite the United Nations to walk this journey with us.

“Since assuming office in 2023, our Administration has pursued a deliberate and integrated development pathway, focused on rebuilding systems, restoring dignity, and unlocking economic potential”.

In her remarks Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General United Nations, called for the strengthening, peacebuilding efforts, inclusive development, and stronger collaborations between global partners and subnational governments to end insecurity in Nigerian communities.

Mohammed described Benue as a State of enormous importance to Nigeria’s food security, economic vitality and social stability even as she commend the resilience of its people despite mounting challenges of insecurity.

While extending condolences to families affected by recent violent attacks in parts of the State, including Mbalom in Gwer East Local Government Area, LGA, and Yelewata in Guma LG also thank governor for inviting her to visit the State and see first-hand the priorities of the
State and the resilience of His

According to her, “let me begin by extending my heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and express my solidarity with all affected communities, including those newly attacked and displaced.

“Benue’s challenges reflect broader global pressures, including conflict, climate shocks, and economic strain, warning that such forces were increasingly converging to test the resilience of vulnerable communities.

“In Nigeria and in Benue in particular, these wider pressures are felt in very immediate ways, shaping the context in which communities are pursuing peace, recovery and resilience.”

The UN deputy chief also commended Benue Government for the 2026 budget which focused on rural development and sustained growth, as well as innovations such as Nigeria’s first fully digital e-Parliament system.

“The direction your Government is setting deserves recognition, it sends an important signal of commitment to improving lives and expanding opportunity,” she said.

She emphasised that Benue’s status as Nigeria’s “food basket” places it at the heart of national prosperity, urging sustained investment in agriculture, livelihoods, and value chains.“

Benue holds enormous potential, not only in feeding the country, but in generating livelihoods, enterprise and broader prosperity,” she noted.

Mohammed was of the view that military responses alone would not help matters, so “I am calling for grassroots peacebuilding, justice, and reconciliation, because what is required is not only a security response, but a broader commitment to peacebuilding that starts at the grassroots, rebuilding trust across communities, however, oversimplified narratives could inflame tensions and strain the social fabric”.