The Significance of Alia’s Trip for Benue State
By Steven Ortese
Governor Hyacinth Alia’s inclusion in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s high-powered delegation to Brazil is far more than ceremonial; it is a strategic signal of his growing political relevance and influence at the national level. As one of the state governors selected to accompany the President to the bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Copacabana Forte in Rio, Alia has positioned Benue State squarely at the table of international economic cooperation.
The engagement, which focused on deepening economic collaboration between Nigeria and Brazil, will yield positive benefits for Benue’s future. Considering Brazil’s global leadership in mechanized agriculture, agro-processing, bio-energy, and infrastructure, these are sectors where Benue possesses a comparative advantage and faces pressing development needs.
Governor Alia’s participation in this high-level diplomatic forum reinforces what many political observers have noted in recent months: he is fast emerging as one of the most prominent and trusted leaders in Nigeria’s new governance era under President Tinubu. His unwavering commitment to reform, people-focused development, and decisive leadership in restoring security and reviving investment in Benue have earned him national recognition.
With its extensive arable land and its identity as Nigeria’s “food basket,” Benue stands to benefit immensely from any cooperation with Brazil, one of the world’s most advanced agricultural economies.
In fact, Brazil has previously expressed interest in supporting Nigeria’s agricultural sector through technology transfer, and Benue was identified in 2017 by Brazilian technical teams as a potential host for an agro-processing demonstration project under the More Food International Programme, which targeted subnational economies with strong farming potential. That project was stalled due to bureaucratic and political challenges at the time, but Alia’s renewed engagement could reactivate such dormant opportunities.
*What This Means for Benue*
Governor Alia’s presence at the meeting will help Benue State gain access to upcoming support from Brazil to improve farming with machinery and build food processing factories. If this happens, it could bring modern Brazilian farm tools, small processing plants, and opportunities for Benue’s schools and experts to collaborate with Brazilian researchers.
Alia’s approach at the summit was focused and pragmatic, centering on unlocking access to capital, technology, and markets for Benue’s smallholder farmers and agri-entrepreneurs. By engaging directly with Brazilian trade and agriculture officials, he laid the foundation for possible state-level partnerships with Brazilian firms and institutions.
Potential Benefits Include:
Access to modern mechanized equipment and training from Brazil
Introduction of agro-processing clusters for rice, cassava, and soybean
Technical exchange programs for local students and researchers
Public-Private Partnerships in renewable energy and agribusiness
Job creation across agriculture, logistics, and light manufacturing
Conclusion
Governor Alia’s steady rise on the national stage is clearly being leveraged for the benefit of the Benue people. While others may view foreign trips as mere protocol, the Alia administration is translating diplomatic presence into concrete economic possibilities. His actions affirm that development in the 21st century will be won not just on farms and factory floors, but also in foreign rooms where deals are discussed, partnerships are brokered, and futures are negotiated.
For the people of Benue, Alia’s visit to Rio is more than a moment; it may be the beginning of a bold new chapter in the state’s development journey.