DIPLOMAN TIMES

The Benue State government has opened discussions with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on innovative financing, institutional capacity and broader development cooperation, following a September 17, 2026 meeting between Governor Hyacinth Alia and UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria Elsie G. Attafuah at the United Nations House in Abuja.

According to the Benue State government publication, the discussions focused on moving beyond conventional public financing through innovative and blended financing mechanisms, while strengthening the state's capacity to prepare investment-ready programmes and connect priority projects with development finance institutions, private capital and international funding opportunities.

The engagement also covered institutional reforms, data management, project preparation and implementation capacity. The state sought deeper UNDP technical collaboration and a stronger operational presence in Benue to improve coordination with government and development partners.

The discussions extended to governance, peacebuilding, livelihoods, resilience, sustainable energy, innovation and community development. The parties also considered alignment between the Benue State Action Plan for Durable Solutions, the Sustainable Development Goals and wider state development priorities.

Governor Alia linked the Durable Solutions agenda to livelihoods, housing, agriculture, education, healthcare, water and sanitation, energy, peacebuilding and economic recovery for internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities. Other areas discussed included UniPod, the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, youth innovation, digital transformation, climate and green financing, agricultural value chains, early warning systems and private-sector participation.

UNDP Resident Representative Elsie G. Attafuah said the organisation remained committed to working with the Benue State Government to translate development priorities into investible programmes, mobilise innovative financing and build partnerships. The engagement concluded with both sides examining a broader Benue-UNDP partnership rather than project-by-project cooperation.