Benue State has launched a Paperless Executive Council System, becoming one of Nigeria’s first subnational governments to fully digitise its cabinet proceedings.
The move, aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency, was approved by Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
The new system aligns with the state’s Digital Economy Framework and E-Governance Agenda, which seeks to position Benue as a leader in technology-driven governance, according to a statement from the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company PLC (BDIC).
The launch included a comprehensive training session for all Executive Council members, conducted by BDIC at the Government House in Makurdi.
At the heart of this transformation are two primary solutions developed by BDIC: a homegrown virtual meeting infrastructure for secure, high-level state governance, and a secure Executive Council Memorandum Management and Processing Platform.
This platform streamlines how memos are submitted, reviewed, and approved, all without paper.
To facilitate seamless access, each council member, including Governor Alia, received a high-end iPad Gen 10 preloaded with the new systems and backed by unlimited internet access.
This enables members to participate in sessions, access documents, contribute to memos, and review decisions from any location globally.
The state highlighted this initiative as a demonstration of Governor Alia’s commitment to transforming Benue into a digitally advanced state.
It cited global examples like Dubai’s Smart Paperless Government, which reportedly saved over $350 million annually by eliminating paper, and Estonia’s E-Government model, where ministers participate in meetings remotely.
“Benue Has Gone Digital. The Future Is Now,” the BDIC statement affirmed, adding that the system “is a symbol of governance that is smart, responsive, and built for the 21st century.”
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