17th April, 2026
The Bureau for International Co-operation and Development (BICD) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi to support the Solutions to Internally Displaced Persons (SOLID) and Host Communities Project in Benue State.
The collaboration which was unveiled recently at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at BICD office in Government House, Makurdi by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), meant to align with the ongoing World Bank-supported interventions with the state’s SOLID Investment Plan focused on strengthening coordination among partners to deliver inclusive services, expand economic opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their host communities.
The SOLID Project which is built on three key components of climate-resilient infrastructure and basic services, livelihood support and community integration and project management is designed with a performance-based financing model, the initiative which seeks to ensure measurable and sustainable impact across targeted communities.
The project under its infrastructure component, would facilitate the development of roads, drainage systems, waste management facilities, water supply, markets and public spaces while the livelihood component would empower more than 1,000 cooperatives through access to climate-smart agricultural tools, business development support, improved market linkages and vocational training in trades such as carpentry, tailoring as well as food processing.
The CEFTER–MOAUM according to the partnership deal is expected to play a central role in advancing livelihood initiatives, particularly through the establishment of shared storage facilities, provision of processing equipment for grains and cassava, deployment of modern packaging systems and carry out interventions like digital inventory platforms, cooperative training centre, and multipurpose innovation hubs equipped with incubation and co-working spaces.
The project also had inclusive measures such as childcare facilities to enhance women’s participation and assistive technologies to support persons with disabilities.
Implementation according to the deal would take care of Makurdi, Guma and Agatu Local Government Areas, with full rollout anticipated before the end of 2026 and would incorporate CEFTER’s Centre for Food Technology Innovation Complex (CEFTIC) as a designated programme’s central innovation and training hub, with access to dedicated research grants.
The CEFTER delegation at the meeting was led by Acting Director, Prof. Ogbene Igbum, alongside Prof. Sylvester Adejo, Deputy Director for Research and Collaboration and the Centre Secretary, Bill Ashaver.
The partnership underscores CEFTER–MOAUM’s growing commitment to innovation-driven solutions, economic empowerment, and inclusive development for vulnerable populations across Benue State.