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Benue’s Economy
At a glance
Benue was created out of the Benue-Plateau in 1976 and is part of the North Central region, bordering Nassarawa in the North, Taraba in East, Cross River and Ebonyi in the South and Kogi in the West. It takes its name from the country’s second-largest river, which flows through the state capital Makurdi and provides the region with much of its distinctive geography and commercial advantages.
Also known as ‘Food Basket of the Nation’, the state’s fertile soil, endowed with rich alluvial deposits, enables it to produce a large proportion of Nigeria’s agricultural produce.
The state’s considerable water resources provide irrigation for agricultural activities, as well as the basis for the ongoing development of fisheries and tourism, and Benue has considerable mineral resources, ranging from limestone to salt. Benue’s climate is tropical, for the most part, and its temperature is fluctuating between 23° and 32°.
With a population of around 5 million the state is ethnically diverse and home to the Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Etulo, Abakpa, Jukun, Hausa, Akweya and Nyifon ethnic groups. The Tiv people make up over half of the population. The traditional leadership structures of the state’s ethnic groups are recognised in state law.
A three-tier traditional council system made up of Local Government Area Traditional Councils, Area Traditional Councils and the State Council of Chiefs allows traditional rulers to participate fully in the administration of the state’s various jurisdictions.
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