The Governor of Benue State is the highest-ranking executive authority responsible for administering the affairs of the state. Since Benue State was created in 1976, its leadership has transitioned through both military and democratic governments, each leaving a lasting impact on the state’s development.
Many people often ask: Who was the first governor of Benue State? Or who is the current governor of Benue State? This article provides a clear guide to the past and present governors of Benue State, with detailed profiles of the first governor and the current governor, including their achievements.
List of Benue State Governors from 1976 to date
| Name | Title | Years in Office | Party | Date of Birth |
| Abdullahi Shelleng | Military Gov. | Mar 1976 – Jul 1978 | Military | NA |
| Adebayo Lawal | Military Gov. | Jul 1978 – Oct 1979 | Military | NA |
| Aper Aku | Civilian Gov. | Oct 1979 – Dec 1983 | NPN | 23 Feb 1938 |
| John Kpera | Military Gov. | Jan 1984 – Aug 1985 | Military | NA |
| Jonah D. Jang | Military Gov. | Aug 1985 – Aug 1986 | Military | 13 Dec 1944 |
| Yohanna Madaki | Military Gov. | Aug 1986 – Sep 1986 | Military | NA |
| Ishaya Bakut | Military Gov. | Sep 1986 – 1987 | Military | NA |
| Idris Garba | Military Gov. | 1987 | Military | NA |
| Fidelis Makka | Military Gov. | Dec 1987 – Jan 1992 | Military | NA |
| Moses Adasu | Civilian Gov. | Jan 1992 – Nov 1993 | SDP | 12 Jun 1945 |
| Joshua O. Obademi | Military Admin. | Dec 1993 – Aug 1996 | Military | NA |
| Aminu I. Kontagora | Military Admin. | Aug 1996 – Aug 1998 | Military | 20 May 1956 |
| Dominic Oneya | Military Admin. | Aug 1998 – May 1999 | Military | 26 May 1948 |
| George Akume | Civilian Gov. | May 1999 – May 2007 | PDP | 27 Dec 1953 |
| Gabriel Suswam | Civilian Gov. | May 2007 – May 2015 | PDP | 2 Feb 1963 |
| Samuel Ortom | Civilian Gov, | May 2015 – May 2023 | PDP | 23 Apr 1961 |
| Hyacinth Alia | Civilian Gov, | May 2023 – Present | APC | 15 May 1966 |
Who Was the First Governor of Benue State?
The first governor of Benue State was Abdullahi Shelleng. He assumed office on February 3, 1976, immediately after the creation of Benue State, and served as a military administrator until July 1978.
There is limited publicly available information about Abdullahi Shelleng’s primary education, although some sources mention Shelleng and Yola town as his early learning locations. He attended Government College for his secondary education between 1957 and 1961.
In 1962, he began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, before proceeding to the Military Academy in Pakistan, where he completed his training in 1965 and earned the rank of Second Lieutenant.
In 1973, he attended the Command and General Staff College in Kansas, United States, a major milestone in his military career. He was promoted to Colonel in 1974 while serving at the headquarters of the 2nd Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan.
Governor Shelleng Achievements
As the pioneer governor of a newly created state, Abdullahi Shelleng faced enormous challenges, including:
- Lack of established government structures
- Ethnic and political tensions
- Administrative uncertainty
Despite these obstacles, the former governor successfully laid the administrative foundation of Benue State. One of his most notable achievements was prioritizing civil servants’ welfare, including the construction of government housing to accommodate workers and stabilize public service delivery.
Who Is the Current Governor of Benue State?
The current governor of Benue State is Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the 16th governor of the state. He emerged victorious in the May 18, 2023, governorship election, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and was sworn into office on May 29, 2023.
Hyacinth Iormem Alia was born on May 15, 1966, in Mbangur town, Benue State. Before entering politics, he served as a Catholic priest, reflecting his strong religious and moral background.
Educational Background
- Primary Education: St. Francis Primary School, Agidi, Mbatiav, Gboko LGA
- Secondary Education: St. James Minor Seminary, Makurdi (from 1983)
- Diploma: Religious Studies, St. Augustine Major Seminary, Jos (1987)
- Bachelor’s Degree: Sacred Theology (1990)
- Master’s Degrees:
- Religious Education, Fordham University, New York (2004)
- Biomedical Ethics, Duquesne University, Pennsylvania (2005)
- Doctorate Degree: Biomedical Ethics, Duquesne University
Hyacinth Iormem Achievements
1. Civil Service Reforms:
Governor Alia introduced major reforms in the civil service, including:
- Early payment of salaries and pensions (22nd–25th of every month)
- Elimination of ghost workers
- Implementation of a ₦75,000 minimum wage for Benue civil servants
2. Education Development
His administration has:
- Rehabilitated old schools and constructed new ones
- Recruited new teachers to address shortages
- Supplied over 13,000 classroom furniture items
- Equipped libraries with digital and non-digital learning facilities
3. Health Sector Improvements
Key interventions include:
- Upgrade of the Benue State Teaching Hospital
- Plans for a cancer treatment centre
- Renovation of primary and secondary healthcare facilities across the state
4. Youth Empowerment and SMEs
Through initiatives such as Alia’s Care Grant and microloan schemes, many youths and small business owners have received financial support to grow their enterprises.
5. Digital Economy and E-Governance
Governor Alia has positioned Benue State in the digital space by:
- Reforming the Ministry of Communications
- Implementing digital economy and e-governance laws
- Establishing the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC)
- Training civil servants in ICT and digital tools
Moreso, according to Blueprint Newspaper Limited, Benue State’s internally generated revenue (IGR) increased from ₦700 million to ₦2 billion monthly within two years of his administration not by taxation but plugging leakages and also effective allocation of resources.
Furthermore, in agriculture, the government distributed 900 metric tons of subsidized fertilizer to farmers, strengthening Benue State’s identity as the “Food Basket of the Nation.”
Conclusion
Benue State has experienced diverse leadership under both military and democratic governments. Each governor has contributed uniquely to the state’s growth and development. From Abdullahi Shelleng, the first governor who laid the administrative foundation, to Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the current governor driving reforms and modernization, Benue State continues to evolve.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the past and present governors of Benue State, helping readers understand the leadership history of the state.
Leave a Reply