The people of Benue State may soon witness one of the most transformative projects in the history of the region as Governor Hyacinth Alia sets his sights on building a modern airport with three wings. International, Domestic and Cargo alongside an Export/Import Processing Zone on the Makurdi-Gboko road.
This revelation came on Friday, September 26th, 2025, when the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Rev. Dr. Frederick Ikyaan, met with traditional rulers from Guma, Gboko, Gwer and Tarka local government areas. According to him, the airport will be sited on the left-hand side of the road from Makurdi, immediately after Agasha junction, while the Processing Zone will occupy land on the right-hand side, stretching across 100 hectares.
For years, the absence of a standard airport has forced Benue residents and investors to endure costly and stressful trips through neighboring states. The governor’s vision is to ease this burden and simultaneously position the state as a hub for trade, agriculture and commerce. With the inclusion of a cargo terminal and processing zone, farmers and entrepreneurs could soon have direct access to international markets, eliminating middlemen and boosting revenue.
Traditional rulers who attended the meeting, including Ter Gwer, Chief Dominic Akpe and Ter Gboko, Chief Gabriel Shosom, welcomed the development with open arms. They described the project as not only timely but also a potential solution to long-standing security issues, particularly the menace of Fulani invasions. Their gratitude to Governor Alia was heartfelt, though they also emphasized the importance of fair compensation for communities whose lands will be affected.
The atmosphere of the meeting reflected a blend of optimism and cautious expectation. Rev. Dr. Ikyaan reassured the chiefs that the governor values transparency, which is why stakeholders were informed before major steps were taken, even though the land survey is already complete. The chiefs, in turn, promised to provide representatives to monitor the project’s progress.
Also present at the meeting were Dr. Mrs. Eunice Ihu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Professor Daniel Amine of the Benue Geographic Information System (BENGIS) and other key officials. The Special Adviser on Lands, Surv. Matthias Antor, urged community leaders to guide their people responsibly, stressing that only correspondence endorsed by traditional rulers would be acknowledged.
If executed effectively, this project could redefine Benue’s economy and bring long-awaited relief to its people. The dream of turning the “Food Basket of the Nation” into a global trade hub may finally be within reach.
