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.

Known for his forward-thinking approach, Governor Alia has prioritized technology-driven governance and digital inclusion as key pillars of his economic diversification plan, placing Benue State at the forefront of Nigeria’s ICT-led development agenda.

Digital Vision with Tangible Impact

Since assuming office, Governor Alia has taken historic steps by establishing three key institutions to drive digital policy formulation, ICT infrastructure development, and technology adoption:

• Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy
• Benue State Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC)
• Benue State Digital Infrastructure Services Management and Enforcement Agency (BENDISMEA)

These bodies are helping to streamline digital operations, promote e-governance, and support youth empowerment through skills acquisition and job creation.

Highlights of Governor Alia’s Digital Reforms

Under Alia’s administration, Benue State has:

• Created the BDIC to develop ICT infrastructure, enhance IGR, and promote digital literacy.
• Launched the Benue State Executive Council Management System, a paperless digital platform for government meetings.
• Trained over 40,000 civil servants in e-governance tools and data privacy.
• Empowered 10,000 youth with digital tools and skills for entrepreneurship and employability.
• Established 276 e-commerce hubs across council wards for local product marketing and youth training.
• Partnered with the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) to connect 23 local government areas with digital training hubs, targeting 23,000 yearly trainees.
• Initiated licensing applications with the CBN, NCC, and NBC for e-payment, ISP services, and e-television broadcasting respectively.
• Employed over 60 software and hardware engineers to foster local tech talent and innovation.

BDIC: The Engine of Benue’s Digital Economy Transformation

The Benue State Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) is the central institution driving the state’s transition to a digital-first economy.

Within just 15 months, it has made strides in:

• Digital financial inclusion
• Launching AI and coding programs in 15 pilot secondary schools
• Promoting digital literacy campaigns
• Building a framework for fiber optic deployment and broadband expansion

The 50MVPs Recognition

The 50 Most Valuable Personalities in Nigeria’s Digital Economy is an initiative by Knowhow Media, publishers of IT Edge News.Africa, and part of the larger West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) platform.

The 2025 edition will be held on May 22 at The Colosseum, Lagos, under the theme: “Consolidating Progress – Addressing New & Emerging Challenges in Nigeria’s Digital Economy.” The MVPs are selected based on:

1. Innovation & Vision
2. Impact & Influence
3. Leadership & Contribution
4. Sustainability & Future Prospects

The event brings together policymakers, innovators, and corporate leaders who are actively shaping Nigeria’s digital future.

What Organizers Are Saying

“More than just a recognition, the 50MVPs in Nigeria’s Digital Economy is the gathering of Nigeria’s major change-makers and the charting of new pathways for economic growth,” said Dr. Sola Afolabi, chairman of the 2025 Nomination Committee and Chairman of Baobab Think.

Past editions have featured national leaders such as Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs; Dr. Vincent Olatunji, CEO of the NDPC; and Ike Nnamani, CEO of Digital Realty.

This partnership underscores GBB’s role as the premier digital infrastructure platform in Nigeria, offering comprehensive services including cloud computing, colocation, connectivity, cybersecurity, and business continuity solutions.

This was disclosed as Galaxy Backbone (GBB) hosted Dr. Hycinth Iormem Alia, the executive governor of Benue State, for a comprehensive tour of its cutting-edge digital infrastructure facilities.

The visit marked a significant milestone in GBB’s mission to drive digital transformation across the federal republic of Nigeria.

During the visit, the Governor was introduced to Galaxy Backbone’s Uptime Certified Tier III Data Centre, Security Operations Centre, and Network Operations Centre.

These state-of-the-art facilities exemplify GBB’s commitment to providing top-tier digital infrastructure and cybersecurity solutions.

In the words of Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, GBB’s Managing Director/CEO;

“We are honored to host His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State, and to showcase our state-of-the-art digital infrastructure. This visit signifies a pivotal step in our partnership with Benue State to drive digital transformation. We are committed to providing the technological foundation through our High Speed Fibre Connectivity currently available in Benue state and in close to 30 states of the nation, alongside other digital infrastructure solutions, that enables states to thrive in the digital age.”

Key Highlights of the Visit:

• Tier III Data Centre: The Governor was given a detailed tour of the Uptime Certified Tier III Data Centre, which offers unparalleled reliability, security, and scalability for data storage and management.
• Security Operations Centre (SOC): The SOC is equipped with advanced monitoring tools to provide real-time threat detection and response, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures are in place.
• Network Operations Centre (NOC): The NOC enables continuous monitoring and management of network performance, ensuring seamless connectivity and operational efficiency.

Galaxy Backbone’s collaboration with Benue Digital Infrastructure Company is set to enhance the state’s digital landscape, providing the technological backbone required for effective governance, economic growth, and improved public services.

In his response, Governor Alia, a reverend father and the executive governor of the State, expressed his delight at GBB’s Digital Infrastructure;

“I am impressed by the advanced facilities at Galaxy Backbone and the potential they hold for our state’s digital transformation initiatives and its future. Our collaboration with GBB through the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company will pave the way for significant technological advancements in Benue State, enhancing governance and service delivery.” He concluded.

GBB, in a statement signed by Chidi Okpala, head, Corporate Communications, “invites all states across Nigeria to leverage its extensive infrastructure for their digital transformation initiatives.

“By utilizing GBB’s comprehensive digital services, they enjoy economies of scale and can achieve significant advancements in cloud computing, colocation, connectivity, cybersecurity, and business continuity.

“Galaxy Backbone remains dedicated to supporting the digital transformation of all states in Nigeria, offering a robust platform, being an enabler and an aggregator of digital services that ensures security, connectivity, and continuity.

“This initiative aligns with the broader vision of a digitally inclusive and economically vibrant Nigeria”, the statement reads.