The MD BDIC Mr. Terwase Gbande addressing journalists at the NUJ House Makurdi
By TYAV SAM TYAV, Makurdi–
Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) is set to revolutionize the state’s economy with the production of computers locally.
The Managing Director of BDIC, Mr. Terwase Gbande, disclosed that the company has partnered with a Chinese firm to start assembling laptops, smart kiosks, and biometric devices in Benue.
This initiative is valued at over $170,000 and is expected to generate over ₦6.6 billion in revenue.
According to Gbande, the local hardware investment will reduce dependency on imported digital equipment and unlock opportunities in ICT hardware services.
The company will also train some Benue indigenes in various aspects of production to enable them to participate actively when production takes off.
The development is part of the Benue State Governor’s seven-point agenda aimed at driving digital transformation efforts.
Gbande revealed that the state government is committed to implementing e-governance, which will provide for paperless executive council meetings and eliminate the need for physical presence in memo submissions.
As part of the e-governance initiative, the state government is training 40,000 civil servants, who will be provided with computers to acquire more skills and function efficiently in their offices.
This will enable them to effectively utilize digital platforms and tools in their daily operations.
Virtual Marketplace and Digital Jobs
The state government is also set to create a virtual marketplace and generate over 100,000 digital jobs as part of its plan to digitally transform Benue’s economy and governance systems.
Gbande announced that the company has deployed over 10 operational digital platforms, including the Benue Geographic Information System (BENGIS) and the Executive Document Management System (EDMS).
The BDIC boss emphasized the company’s commitment to creating over 100,000 digital jobs across Benue State within the next three years.
This initiative aligns with Governor Alia’s economic development vision and will provide opportunities for digital outsourcing, gig work platforms, tech start-up hubs, device manufacturing, and e-commerce support.
The BDIC MD appealed to the media for partnership and emphasized the critical role journalists play in shaping narratives and deepening democracy.
He stressed that the media remains the conscience of society and that journalists have a duty to shape public opinion, hold power accountable, and preserve democratic values.
Gbande assured that the company would partner with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in establishing digital skills labs, training journalists in mobile journalism, data storytelling, cybersecurity, and the use of AI tools.
The partnership will also create innovation fellowships and help launch community-based digital news platforms.
The BDIC MD appreciated the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for providing the enabling environment that allows BDIC’s ambitious roadmap to take shape.
He insisted that the government’s commitment to digital transformation is not just policy but practice.
