The Benue State Ministry of Lands & Survey came on board in the year 2000 during the administration of Governor George Akume. It was named Bureau of Lands and Survey under the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport with a Permanent Secretary as its chief executive.

In the year 2000 when the Ministry was upgraded, Hon. Titus Madugu was appointed the first Commissioner. The Ministry then changed its administrative structure to the present one as indicated in the Organogram.

Indeed as a Ministry, the succession chart of its chief executives stands as follows:

• Hon. Titus Madugu                      13th August, 2003 – 8th June, 05
• Hon. Titus Madugu                      4th July, 2005 – 29th, May, 07
• Arc. Sam Dura (Mnia)                   2nd July, 2007 – 3rd Oct. 2009
• Hon. (Surv) John Timbee Tondu    14th Oct., 2009 – 29th May 2011
• Hon. (Surv) John Timbee Tondu   

The Ministry has four (4) Departments, each Department headed by a Director. At present, the Departments and their heads are:

1. Department of Administration and Finance headed by Mr. R.O Oche
2. Department of Lands headed by Mr. E. A. Adamu
3. Department of Town Planning headed by Mr. G.G. Atungwu
4. Department of Survey headed by Mr. J.K. Ngunan.

Benue is a state in Nigeria.

Its name is taken from the major river in the state: River Benue.

The state is one the six states that make up Nigeria’s North-Central geopolitical zone along with the Federal Capital Territory.

It is located in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria and shares an international boundary with the Republic of Cameroon to the Southeast and interstate boundaries with Nasarawa State to the North, Taraba State to the East, Enugu, Ebonyi and Cross River States to the South, and Kogi State to the West.

Creation: February 3, 1976.

Capital: Makurdi.

Major Cities: Makurdi, Gboko Otukpo, Katsina-Ala, Zaki-Biam, Ukum and Adikpo.

Local Government Areas (LGAs): Ado, Agatu, Apa, Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West, Katsina-Ala,Konshisha, Kwande, Logo,Makurdi, Obi, Ogbadibo, Ohimini, Oju, Okpokwu, Otukpo, Tarka, Ukum, Ushongo, Vandeikya

Ethnic Profile: Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Etulo, Abakwa, Jukun, Hausa, Akweya and Nyifon.

The Tiv are the dominant ethnic group, occupying fourteen (14) local government areas, while the Idoma and Igede occupy the remaining nine local government areas.

Economic Profile: Its major agricultural produce include yam, rice, beans, cassava, potatoes, maize, soya beans, sorghum, millet and cocoyam. The state also accounts for over 70% of Nigeria’s soya beans production.

Geographic Location: Its geographic coordinates are longitude 7° 47’ and 10° 0’ East. Latitude 6° 25’ and 8° 8’ north; and shares boundaries with five other states namely: Nassarawa to the north, Taraba to the east, Cross-River to the south, Enugu to the south-west and Kogi to the west. The State also shares a common boundary with the Republic of Cameroun on the south-east.

Landmass: 34,058.3 sq km (13,150 sq mi) – 12th of 27

Benue State covers an area of 34,058.3 square kilometres. It lies at latitude 5°25’ North and longitude 7°30’ East.

Benue gets its name from the Benue River which flows through Makurdi, the state’s capital. The state was originally part of the Northern Region in the three-region structure of 1954. With the creation of twelve federal states by General Yakubu Gowon’s military government in 1967, Benue-Plateau State was established. In 1976 the military government of General Murtala Muhammed created nineteen states out of the existing twelve and Benue-Plateau State was split into Benue and Plateau States.

The Road-Railway Bridge (also known as the Old Bridge) in Makurdi was the first bridge that linked the north and south of Nigeria. It was built in 1932. 

PEOPLE

There are several ethnic groups in Benue State: the largest are the Tiv, Idoma, and Igede people.

The main religion in the state is Christianity. Traditional religions are also practiced by some of its inhabitants.

MAJOR TOWNS AND CITIES

Makurdi (capital), Gboko, Otukpo, Katsina-Ala, Zaki Biam, Vandeikya, Obi, Okpokwu, and Otukpa.

ECONOMY

The northern parts of Benue State are grass savannah while there is woodland savannah in the south. Agriculture is very important in the state. The state is referred to as the nation’s “food basket” because of its rich and diverse agricultural produce, which include yam, rice, beans, cassava, potato, maize, soya beans, sorghum, millet and coco-yam.

Benue state accounts for over 70 percent of Nigeria’s soya bean production. Fishing in inland waterways and animal husbandry are other significant commercial activities.

The major minerals found in the state include limestone, gypsum, kaolin, lead, zinc, anhydride, coal, calcite, gemstones and magnetite. Breweries and cement manufacturing are its major industries.

EDUCATION

The tertiary institutions in the state are Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; Benue State University, Makurdi; University of Mkar, Mkar; College of Education, Katsina-Ala; College of Education, Akperan; Federal Technical School, Otukpo; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Makurdi; Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi and Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo.

The Ikyogen hills consists of hills, a waterfall and cattle grazing areas. 

CULTURE

The people of Benue State celebrate festivals at different times of the year including Akata fishing festival.

The Akata fishing festival is a symbolic cultural event for people of Akata in Katsina-Ala local government area. The annual festival brings together Tiv, Jukun and Etulo fishermen to compete for prizes.

Big fish caught in Katsina-Ala River in Benue State