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By Chinenye Anuforo
Benue State has signed a major digital skills training partnership with the Cisco Networking Academy, aimed at training and certifying 23,000 youths across the state, in a move designed to accelerate its digital transformation and youth employment drive.
The agreement was signed between the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) and Cisco Networking Academy at the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Cisco International Systems Annual Partners Conference, held at the Le Royal Méridien Resort, Dubai, from January 13 to 15, 2026.
The partnership was executed by the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BDIC and President/CEO of AfDIC, Gbande-Hembaor Terwase, AFCPN, and it is expected to strengthen Benue State’s efforts to build a digitally skilled and globally competitive workforce.
Under the agreement, 23,000 Benue youths will be trained biannually using Cisco’s globally accredited curricula covering networking, cybersecurity, digital literacy and emerging technologies. Participants will earn internationally recognised certifications designed to improve employability, support remote work opportunities and enable access to global labour markets.
The initiative aligns with the digital transformation agenda of the Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, who has prioritised digital skills development as a key tool for economic growth, youth empowerment and public sector reform.
Within the first year of the administration, the state launched a programme to train 10,000 youths in digital and technology-enabled skills, alongside digital literacy and e-governance training for over 40,000 civil servants.
Officials say the Cisco partnership provides global validation for the state’s investments in digital human capital development, while introducing an internationally recognised framework to scale and standardise training in line with global industry and labour market requirements.
