The Benue State Government has launched the $15 million Benue Creative Impact Fund (BCIF), a major initiative aimed at empowering young people, driving innovation, and increasing the state’s presence in Africa’s growing creative industry.
The fund was unveiled on Friday at the Government House in Makurdi by Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Sam Ode, mni. The launch marked what the government described as a key step in its broader economic transformation agenda.
Speaking at the event, Governor Alia described the BCIF as a turning point for the state’s development efforts. “This is a defining moment for our state. We are launching a bold and visionary programme that will empower our youth, stimulate economic growth, and position Benue among Africa’s next creative powerhouses,” he said.
The BCIF was launched in partnership with Circuit, an African digital content distribution platform. Through the fund, creatives in Benue will have access to funding, studio spaces, training programmes, mentorship, digital production tools, and opportunities to reach global markets.
According to Governor Alia, the fund is expected to create over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs while strengthening creative businesses and expanding opportunities for thousands of young talents across the state. He said the initiative recognises creativity as a viable economic driver for Benue.
“Benue’s creativity is an economic asset. With the right support, our cultural identity — Tiv, Idoma, and Igede — can be projected globally while creating jobs and attracting investors,” the governor stated.
He explained that the global creative industry is now a trillion-dollar contributor to GDP worldwide and one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors. With the introduction of the BCIF, he said Benue is positioning itself to benefit from this growth and take an active role in the creative economy.
Governor Alia also highlighted earlier efforts by his administration to prepare the ground for digital and creative growth. These include the establishment of the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), ICT training for 23,000 youths across the state’s 23 local government areas, and the digital upskilling of 40,000 civil servants to improve public service delivery.
Other investments mentioned include the creation of the Bureau for Culture and Tourism, support for 30 entrepreneurs during the Benue Inventors and Entrepreneurs Exhibition, backing for the Benue Men’s Fashion Week, and the establishment of the Benue Fashion Hub. He said these initiatives are all part of building a strong and sustainable innovation ecosystem.
“Our vision is to build systems that enable filmmakers, musicians, designers, digital creators, and storytellers to produce world-class content right here in Benue. This fund marks the beginning of a new era of creativity, innovation, and global influence,” Governor Alia said.
He added that the BCIF has already attracted interest from private investors, corporate organisations, and development partners who are eager to participate in the state’s creative transformation. “We are not just launching a fund. We are laying the foundation for a creative economy that will boost our GDP, empower our youth, and redefine Benue’s contribution to Nigeria’s economic future,” he said.
Also speaking at the unveiling, Imade Bibowei-Osuobeni, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Circuits, explained the wider importance of the Creative Impact Fund. She said it is designed to bridge development gaps across states by strengthening sub-national creative economies.
“The Creative Impact Fund is our strategic approach to partnering with sub-national governments to grow the creative economy within states. Our goal is to create jobs, stimulate economic activity, expand opportunities for young people, and boost internally generated revenue for the state,” Bibowei-Osuobeni said.
She emphasised that Circuits is committed to ensuring that creative talents in Benue gain access to digital tools, infrastructure, market linkages, and sustainable financing needed to compete globally.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Prof. Timothy Ornguga, and Ms. Bibowei-Osuobeni signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Benue State Government and Circuits respectively. The event attracted creative industry leaders, investors, development partners, and senior government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Moses Atagher.
