HOW GOV. ALIA, UNDP, OPENS NEW FRONT ON INNOVATIVE FINANCING FOR BENUE DEVELOPMENT

HOW GOV. ALIA, UNDP, OPENS NEW FRONT ON INNOVATIVE FINANCING FOR BENUE DEVELOPMENT

By Donald Kumun | Friday, 18 September, 2026.

The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has held high-level talks with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, on expanding development financing and deepening strategic cooperation in the state.

The meeting, held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the United Nations House, Abuja, focused on innovative financing, institutional capacity building, resource mobilisation, Durable Solutions, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and strengthening UNDP’s operational presence in Benue.

The Governor stressed the need for Benue to move beyond dependence on conventional public financing by exploring innovative and blended financing mechanisms capable of closing critical development gaps.

The discussions examined how UNDP could provide technical support to strengthen government systems, develop investment-ready programmes and connect priority projects with development finance institutions, private capital and international funding opportunities.

He also sought deeper technical collaboration in institutional reforms, data management, project preparation and implementation capacity, aimed at positioning Benue to attract increased development financing.

According to the Governor, the major component of the engagement was aimed at strengthening UNDP’s field presence in Benue to facilitate closer coordination with the state government and development partners.

The meeting covered issues on governance, peacebuilding, livelihoods, resilience, sustainable energy, innovation and community development.

The two sides also discussed aligning the Benue State Action Plan for Durable Solutions with the SDGs and the state’s wider development priorities.

The Governor emphasised that interventions for internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities will translate into sustainable livelihoods, housing, agriculture, education, healthcare, water and sanitation, energy, peacebuilding and economic recovery.

The meeting also reviewed the momentum generated by the recent visit of United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, to Benue, with emphasis on converting high-level engagements into concrete partnerships and interventions that improve livelihoods and strengthen community resilience.

Other areas discussed included the UniPod initiative, Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, sustainable energy, UN Volunteers, youth innovation, digital transformation, climate and green financing, agricultural value chains, peacebuilding, early warning systems and increased private-sector participation.

At the strategic level, Governor Alia expressed his administration’s readiness to transform the Benue-UNDP relationship from a project-by-project engagement into an integrated development partnership.

Such a framework would bring together government priorities, UN expertise, development partners, private capital and innovative financing to deliver measurable development outcomes across the state.

Responding, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, welcomed Governor Alia’s commitment to strengthening the partnership between Benue State and UNDP, particularly around innovative financing, Durable Solutions, institutional capacity, and sustainable development, noting that, “UNDP remains committed to working with the Benue State Government, to translate its development priorities into investible and impactful programmes, mobilize innovative financing, and build partnerships that deliver tangible results for the people of Benue State.”