Benue State has taken a major leap forward in its digital transformation journey with the signing of a strategic digital skills training partnership between the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) and the Cisco Networking Academy.
The agreement was formalised at the Middle East & Africa (MEA) Cisco International Systems (CIS) Annual Partners Conference, held at the Le Royal Méridien Resort, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 13th to 15th January 2026.
The partnership agreement was executed by Gbande-Hembaor Terwase, the group managing director/chief executive officer of BDIC and president/CEO of AfDIC, marking a significant milestone in Benue State’s commitment to developing a digitally skilled, globally competitive, and future-ready workforce.
This landmark collaboration is a direct outcome of the bold and intentional digital transformation agenda of Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, executive governor of Benue State, who has consistently prioritised digital skills development as a key driver of economic growth, youth empowerment, and public sector reform.
Within the first year of his administration, the Benue State Government launched an ambitious programme to train 10,000 youths in digital and technology-enabled skills, alongside the ongoing digital literacy and e-governance training of over 40,000 civil servants, aimed at modernising public service delivery, improving efficiency, and strengthening transparency across government institutions.
The partnership with Cisco Networking Academy provides global validation and strategic reinforcement of the state government’s sustained investments in digital human capital development.
It introduces an internationally recognised framework to scale, standardise, and internationalise Benue State’s digital skills initiatives, ensuring alignment with global industry standards and labour market demands.
Under the agreement, 23,000 Benue youths will be trained biannually using Cisco’s globally accredited curricula in networking, cybersecurity, digital literacy, and emerging technologies.
Participants will earn internationally recognised certifications that significantly enhance employability, support remote work readiness, and open access to global job opportunities.
Cisco Networking Academy is one of the world’s largest and most respected digital skills and workforce development platforms, operating in over 190 countries and having trained tens of millions of learners worldwide.
Its certifications in networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and IT essentials are widely recognised by global employers, governments, and academic institutions as benchmarks for industry-ready skills.
Beyond youth empowerment, the partnership will also strengthen government capacity by supporting continuous digital upskilling of civil servants, accelerating Benue State’s transition to e-governance, data-driven decision-making, and digitally enabled service delivery.
Access to Cisco’s world-class learning platforms, instructor development programmes, and industry-relevant certifications positions Benue State as a leading subnational government in digital human capital development in Nigeria and across Africa.
The signing of the agreement at the MEA CIS Annual Conference in Dubai further underscores Benue State’s growing international profile and credibility in digital infrastructure, skills development, and governance innovation.
It reflects the state government’s deliberate strategy to leverage global technology partnerships to drive inclusive growth, reduce unemployment, and prepare its workforce for the future of work.
With this milestone, Benue State has firmly consolidated its digital transformation agenda, translating policy vision into structured, scalable, and globally competitive outcomes.
The Cisco Networking Academy partnership stands as a strong testament to the commitment of the Benue State Government, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, to building a resilient digital economy and positioning Benue State at the forefront of Nigeria’s and Africa’s digital revolution.
