Benue State has signed a strategic partnership with Cisco Networking Academy aimed at expanding digital skills training for young people and civil servants, as part of its wider push to modernise the state’s economy and public service.
The agreement was concluded on the sidelines of the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Cisco International Systems Annual Conference held in Dubai from 13 to 15 January, 2026.
It was signed on behalf of the state by the Managing Director and CEO of the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), Gbande-Hembaor Terwase, who is also President and CEO of AfDIC.
The partnership will provide internationally recognised training and certification in areas such as computer networking, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital literacy and emerging technologies.
Under the deal, Benue plans to train about 23,000 young people every two years using Cisco’s accredited curriculum, with the aim of improving employability, supporting remote work opportunities and increasing access to global technology jobs.
The initiative builds on the digital transformation programme of Governor Hyacinth Alia, who has made technology skills a central part of his administration’s development strategy.
Within his first year in office, the state government announced the training of 10,000 youths in digital skills and to provide digital literacy and e-governance training for more than 40,000 civil servants, in a bid to improve efficiency and transparency in public service delivery.
Cisco Networking Academy operates in more than 190 countries and is one of the world’s largest technology training platforms, with its certifications widely recognised by employers and educational institutions.
The partnership will also support the continuous upskilling of government workers and strengthen the state’s transition to online public services and data-driven administration.
Analysts say such partnerships could help Nigerian states address youth unemployment and prepare their workforces for a rapidly changing digital economy, although the long-term impact will depend on sustained funding and effective implementation.
Credit: Angula Bishop Reuben
