The Benue State Government today formalised a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with Rexzodeneh Group Limited (RGL) for the establishment of a sprawling National Food City Complex in the Otukpo Local Government Area. The signing ceremony, held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, comes exactly one month after the initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked on April 8th, 2025.
At the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Moses Ogbaji, emphasised the project’s alignment with the Governor’s policy direction.
“This agreement reflects Governor Alia’s policy thrust—industrialising agriculture for jobs, food sufficiency, and rural development,” stated Prof. Ogbaji. He further stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring the project’s success, adding, “We are confident this project will deliver immense value, but let me be clear: the State Government will not hesitate to enforce contractual obligations if delivery timelines are not met.”
The ambitious National Food City Project is envisioned as an integrated agri-industrial hub encompassing over 30,000 hectares of mechanised farmland. Plans include state-of-the-art agro-processing facilities for key crops such as rice, cassava, maize, and soybeans. To ensure operational efficiency and sustainability, the complex will also feature renewable energy infrastructure with a generation capacity of up to 25 megawatts. Complementary infrastructure, including staff housing, clinics, internal road networks, and warehousing facilities, are also part of the comprehensive plan.
The project will be executed under a Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) framework. The Benue State Government will contribute land and essential infrastructure, while RGL will be responsible for financing, construction, and management of the facility for a period of 25 years before transferring ownership back to the state.
Mr. Terhemen Johnpaul Kpenkaan, the Executive Secretary of the Benue Investment Promotion Agency (BENIPA), played a crucial role in coordinating the investment process. He highlighted the rigorous due diligence undertaken by the government to ensure the project’s credibility and viability.
“Following the MoU signed in April, we activated a robust due diligence process involving technical appraisals, regulatory clearances, and financial verification, including confirmation of funding capacity from the participating banks,” Mr. Kpenkaan explained. “This agreement is a result of that thorough groundwork. It is historic, given that it is the first formal PPP agreement in the 49 years’ existence of Benue as a state; and it sets a new benchmark for credible, investor-ready engagements as a hallmark of the Governor Alia-led administration.”
Expressing his gratitude to the Governor and stakeholders, Engr. Femi Apata, the Group Managing Director of Rexzodeneh Group, pledged swift action. “This project has been in development for three years. We now have the platform to deliver meaningful impact across agriculture, energy, and job creation in Benue,” he assured, promising tangible progress within the next 90 days.
The PPP agreement was officially signed by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture on behalf of the Benue State Government and by the Chairman of Rexzodeneh Group for the private sector, with the Executive Secretary of BENIPA and the Group Managing Director of RGL serving as affirming parties.
The project has also garnered significant support from the local community. Hon. Kennedy Angbo, representing the Otukpo/Akpa Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, lauded Governor Alia for choosing Otukpo as the project site, emphasising its potential to transform the area. “This project guarantees food sufficiency, jobs, and renewed opportunity for our people. We will ensure maximum support from the host community,” he affirmed.
Also in attendance were Hon. Omale Omale, Commissioner for Power, Renewable Energy and Transport, and Hon. Manasseh Alumo Orpin, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, who both echoed the project’s alignment with the state’s broader development objectives. “The National Food City Complex stands as a bold affirmation of Governor Alia’s agenda to build a secure, prosperous, and economically inclusive Benue State,” they jointly stated.
The PPP agreement was officially signed by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture on behalf of the Benue State Government and by the Chairman of Rexzodeneh Group for the private sector, with the Executive Secretary of BENIPA and the Group Managing Director of RGL serving as affirming parties. The ceremony concluded with a symbolic exchange of documents and a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to ensure the timely and successful delivery of this transformative project.
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