Benue State has introduced a $15 million fund called the Benue Creative Impact Fund (BCIF), which aims to empower youth, foster innovation, and create over 300,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, throughout the state.
The fund was launched on Friday at the Government House in Makurdi, with Governor Hyacinth Alia represented by his deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, during the event.
Governor Alia described this initiative as a significant step in his administration’s economic transformation plan, stating that the BCIF will help position Benue as a vital player in Africa’s burgeoning creative economy.
“This is a pivotal moment for our state. We are initiating a daring and visionary program that will empower our youth, boost economic growth, and establish Benue as one of Africa’s emerging creative hubs,” the governor remarked.
In collaboration with Circuit, an African digital content distribution platform, the BCIF aims to offer creatives access to funding, studio facilities, training, mentorship, digital production tools, and opportunities in global markets.
Alia mentioned that the fund is expected to create over 300,000 jobs, enhance creative businesses, and open doors for thousands of young talents in Benue State.
“Benue’s creativity is a valuable economic resource. With adequate support, our cultural identities — Tiv, Idoma, and Igede — can gain international recognition while generating jobs and attracting investors,” he noted.
He pointed out that the global creative industry has evolved into a trillion-dollar contributor to GDP and is one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors, emphasizing that the BCIF positions Benue to leverage this expanding economic landscape.
Additionally, he underscored the foundational work already accomplished by his administration, which includes the creation of the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), ICT training for 23,000 youths across the state’s 23 local government areas, and the digital upskilling of 40,000 civil servants.