In a major milestone for Benue State's burgeoning industrial sector, the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has announced on Thursday, 10th October 2025, the successful receipt of five additional containers filled with over 100,000 empty 50cl beer cans destined for the Food Basket Brewery.
This delivery, which arrived via five trucks, elevates the total number of containers received to 76, marking steady progress in the company's preparations for full-scale production. The shipments encompass a wide range of critical items, including advanced equipment, machinery, raw materials, glass bottles, plastic crates, wooden pallets, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), all essential for initiating brewing operations at the state-of-the-art facility.
Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, CFA, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, emphasized the significance of this development during a recent inspection of the site. "The five trucks visible here are transporting our 50cl empty beer cans. I assure you that we are nearing the initiation of brewing operations," he stated.
He further detailed that before this batch, the company had already taken delivery of 71 trucks, with the latest five pushing the tally to 76. Looking ahead, BIPC anticipates an additional 12 trucks carrying carbonated soft drinks and two trucks loaded with customized refrigeration units to further support the brewery's ecosystem.
Assembly and installation efforts are in full swing at the brewery site along the Makurdi-Gboko Road, where teams are actively working on equipment setup, brewing preparations, and necessary structural and electrical enhancements. These activities are laying a solid foundation for production to commence imminently, aligning with the project's accelerated timeline.
Dr. Asemakaha expressed profound gratitude to His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, for his unwavering visionary leadership and commitment to fostering industrial growth. Under Governor Alia's administration, which began emphasizing economic transformation since his inauguration, Benue has seen a surge in initiatives aimed at leveraging the state's agricultural strengths often dubbed the "Food Basket of the Nation" to build an agro-industrial powerhouse.
Project Background and Economic Impact
The Food Basket Brewery represents a flagship project under BIPC's portfolio, valued at approximately ₦15 billion. Initially announced as part of broader efforts to diversify Benue's economy, the brewery is designed to produce beer, carbonated drinks, and related products, capitalizing on local raw materials like sorghum, cassava, and other crops abundant in the region.
Construction and development have progressed rapidly: by January 2025, the project had reached 80% completion, with offloading of initial machinery batches beginning in July of the same year. The first delivery in July included 16 out of an initial 50 containers, setting the stage for subsequent shipments that have now culminated in the current total of 76.
Officials have projected that the brewery, alongside accompanying factories, will generate up to 1,500 direct and indirect jobs upon full operation, providing a significant boost to employment in Benue State. This aligns with Governor Alia's strategic development plan, which prioritizes sustainable economic growth through agriculture, energy, and industrialization.
The plan, outlined in a comprehensive policy document, reviews past national and state initiatives to create a roadmap for transforming Benue from a primarily agrarian economy into one with robust industrial capabilities. For instance, the governor has highlighted the need for reliable energy solutions to support such ventures, positioning Benue as a leader in energy innovation and attracting bankable investments.
Beyond the brewery, the project includes expansions in related areas, such as bread and water production facilities, which BIPC plans to extend to six local government areas. This integrated approach aims to create a centralized processing hub for agricultural products, enhancing value addition and reducing post-harvest losses.
Governor Alia's Broader Vision for Industrial Growth
Governor Hyacinth Alia's administration has been pivotal in revitalizing BIPC and advancing projects like the Food Basket Brewery. Elected with a mandate to build on foundational successes, Alia has implemented a "silent agricultural revolution," including the creation of the Benue State Agricultural Development Company and the Bureau for Livestock Development.
His efforts extend to community development, such as distributing palm seedlings to journalists and settling professional dues for unions, demonstrating a holistic approach to inclusive growth.
In 2025, Alia pledged to continue these strides, focusing on energy, industrialization, and sustainable economic development to position Benue as an attractive destination for impact-driven investments. The brewery's impending launch in October 2025 coinciding with the current date of October 10 symbolizes this vision, promising not only job creation but also enhanced revenue streams for the state through local manufacturing and exports.
As the Food Basket Brewery edges closer to operational status, stakeholders remain optimistic about its role in elevating Benue's economy. With ongoing deliveries and installations, the facility is poised to become a cornerstone of the state's industrial renaissance, thanks to the collaborative efforts of BIPC and Governor Alia's forward-thinking leadership. Updates on the official launch are expected soon, potentially marking a new era for Benue's agro-industrial sector.