Benue Government Seals PPP with KAOTHEEM, TAICOP to Establish AI School, Agro-Processing Hubs, Boost Employment

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has entered into a landmark Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with KAOTHEEM Energy Services, in collaboration with TAICOP Capital Partners, to advance education, artificial intelligence, agro-processing, wealth generation, and mass employment across the state.

The agreement, facilitated by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), will lead to the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) School at Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (BSUAST), Ihugh, alongside the development of world-class agro-processing hubs and supporting infrastructure.
Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, speaking at a strategic PPP meeting held at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House, described the initiative as a turning point and watershed moment for Benue State. Represented by his deputy, Barr. Sam Odeh, the governor reaffirmed the state’s commitment to credible and sustainable partnerships.
He commended the Group Managing Director of BIPC for spearheading the initiative and announced the formation of a technical committee to collaborate with BIPC management to ensure smooth implementation.
While acknowledging previous disappointments with memoranda of understanding, the governor expressed confidence that the current partnership would produce tangible outcomes. “Today, we have given birth to Benue Rice,” he stated, symbolically highlighting the state’s renewed commitment to value addition and agro-industrial development.
In his welcome address, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha-CFA, described the agreement as a pivotal shift as Benue transitions from a predominantly agrarian economy to an industrialized hub, in line with the vision of Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
“Our objective is straightforward: to convert our raw agricultural wealth into high-value products while harnessing cutting-edge technology,” he said.
He underscored the role of research-driven industrialization, noting that collaboration with BSUAST would bridge academic research and industrial application. He added that Benue’s strong production of yam, cassava, maize, soybean, and other staple crops offers immense opportunities for technology-driven processing to drastically cut post-harvest losses and strengthen food security.
According to him, the agro-processing hub will focus on producing yam flour for domestic and export markets, processing tomatoes into paste, and expanding soybean value chains currently valued at billions of naira. The initiative is projected to generate up to 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
“Benue is open for business. We seek not just contractors, but strategic partners who recognize the immense potential in our land, our resources, and our people,” Asemakaha stated.
Chairman of KAOTHEEM Energy Services, Tom Iseghohi, noted that while Benue’s agricultural capacity is widely recognized, it remains underutilized due to weak value chains.
“I am pleased to announce our collaboration to develop Benue’s agricultural value chain,” he said, adding that the consortium intends to invest $2 billion within the first year without requiring a sovereign guarantee from the state government.
He disclosed that the 10-year development blueprint aims to increase Benue’s GDP from about $2 billion to $20 billion, raise per capita income to $5,000, and generate millions of jobs. He added that enhanced employment would strengthen security, boost internally generated revenue, increase VAT contributions, and attract broadband and technological infrastructure to the state.
Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Alumo Orpin, described the partnership as timely, emphasizing the need to connect university research with medium- and large-scale agro-processing industries.
Managing Director of Benagro, Peter Chiese, described the investors as “the right partners Benue needs at this time,” noting that the initiative would unlock the state’s vast land resources for viable investments.
Chairman of the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Joseph Kwaghba, stated that the project would significantly enhance tax revenue, GDP growth, and per capita income, adding that “many generations will reckon with this project.”
The Vice Chancellor of BSUAST, Professor Qrisstuberg Msughter Amua, expressed the university’s readiness to host the AI School and collaborate on research and innovation.
Similarly, the Vice Chancellor of Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Professor Timothy Alabar, affirmed the institution’s preparedness to partner in advancing Benue’s industrial and technological development.