…as Benue’s Food Basket Brewery Project Records Major Milestone with Arrival of Second Equipment Shipment from China
By Nkechi Eze
The Benue State Government’s flagship Food Basket Brewery project has taken another significant step towards completion with the arrival of the second consignment of brewing equipment from the People’s Republic of China.
The latest shipment, comprising 10 containers, was recently received in the state, adding to the first batch of 16 containers delivered on July 29, 2025. This brings the total number of containers received to 26 out of the 50 expected from China, signalling steady progress towards the operational phase of the multi-billion-naira investment.
Speaking to reporters, the Group Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), Dr. Raymond Asemakaha-CFA, described the delivery as a strong indication that the project is firmly on track. He commended the commitment of the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, whose administration, he said, has provided the political will and facilitation necessary to keep the project moving.
“We are not just building a brewery; we are building the future of Benue’s economy,” Dr. Asemakaha said. “This project will create jobs for thousands of graduates across Benue State and stimulate economic activity within and beyond our borders. It will be a living, breathing part of our industrial landscape for generations to come.”
He explained that the decision to procure high-grade equipment from China was a deliberate strategic choice to secure reliable, world-class technology that would enable the brewery to produce at competitive scale. “We went to where the technology is proven and efficient,” he noted. “This equipment will give us the capacity to meet demand in Benue while also competing with major players in Nigeria’s beverage industry.”
The GMD linked the project directly to the governor’s broader vision of job creation for the state’s growing educated population. “When over 9,000 students matriculated recently at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, His Excellency asked a simple but profound question: where will all these young people work after graduation? The Food Basket Brewery is part of the answer. It is designed to absorb skilled manpower, strengthen our value chains, and build a sustainable industrial base.”
Upon completion, the brewery is expected to generate over 1,500 direct jobs, with thousands more created indirectly in agriculture, logistics, packaging, and marketing. It is also projected to boost state revenue by approximately ₦400 million monthly, providing additional funding for infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Governor Alia, in a recent statement, underscored the economic logic behind the initiative.
“We are blessed with fertile land and hardworking people. But for too long, our produce has left Benue in raw form, only for us to buy back the finished goods at higher prices. This brewery is one of several steps we are taking to change that. We will process what we grow, add value here, and keep the wealth in Benue.”
The Food Basket Brewery is designed to utilise Benue’s rich agricultural output from sorghum and maize to rice and fruits as raw materials, providing a ready market for farmers while reducing post-harvest losses. Its operations are expected to stimulate rural economies, encourage agricultural expansion, and attract related industries to the state.
Historically, Benue has been recognised as Nigeria’s “Food Basket,” a reputation built on decades of abundant agricultural production. However, much of this produce has been exported in raw form, with limited industrial processing taking place within the state. Past attempts at industrialisation, including fruit juice and cassava processing plants, were hampered by inconsistent policy implementation and inadequate infrastructure.
Observers note that the Food Basket Brewery represents a deliberate departure from that pattern. Under Governor Alia’s leadership, the state has prioritised strategic, revenue-generating investments capable of transforming its economic base. By anchoring the brewery in Benue’s agricultural value chain and ensuring that processing takes place locally, the administration aims to retain more economic benefits within the state and reduce dependence on federal allocations.
With additional equipment shipments expected in the coming days and installation scheduled to begin shortly, the brewery is well on its way to becoming one of the largest agro-industrial projects in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, positioned to redefine Benue’s role in the national economy.
