Communities across Benue State have signed a statewide Natural Resource Sharing Agreement aimed at promoting peace, cooperation and sustainable management of resources among diverse groups in the state.

The Initiative was facilitated by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) in partnership with the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation (BECPR) as a public endorsement of the community’s collaborative partnership in their shared responsibilities for joint natural resource governance and conflict mitigation.

Addressing the communities after the signing, the Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, described the signing of the Benue State Natural Resource Sharing Agreement as a major milestone in promoting peace, cooperation, and sustainable development across the state.

Governor Alia, who spoke through his Deputy, Dr. Sam Ode, welcomed traditional rulers, community leaders, women and youth representatives, security agencies, development partners, and other stakeholders, commending their commitment to dialogue, mediation, and consensus-building stating that the agreement was the product of collective efforts aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence among communities.

The Governor particularly praised the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) and the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation for their dedication to promoting peace and resolving conflicts through dialogue saying the successful agreement demonstrated what could be achieved when people choose cooperation over conflict.

He again also expressed the state’s condolences over the recent killing of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State Chapter, Alhaji Ardo Risku Muhammed, and his associate, condemning the attack and urged residents to remain calm while security agencies investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Tor Tiv Orchivirigh Professor James Ayatse and the Och’Idoma HRM Agabaidu John Odogbo signing the agreement.

Governor Alia noted that competition over land, water, forests, and other natural resources has long contributed to tensions within communities adding that climate change, population growth, and environmental pressures have further complicated the challenges, making collaborative solutions more necessary than ever.

He explained that the Natural Resource Sharing Agreement provides a practical framework for managing shared resources, peacefully resolving disputes, and promoting fairness and cooperation among farmers, pastoralists, traditional institutions, and other stakeholders, emphasizing that peace is achievable through dialogue, mutual respect, and good governance.

Governor Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing the agreement through key government agencies working with communities and development partners to ensure its success.

The governor called on all residents to reject violence, embrace dialogue, and use the mechanisms established under the agreement to address disputes peacefully, saying that lasting development, investment, agricultural growth, and prosperity can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.

The Country Manager, HD Nigeria, Chris Aguoha, speaking at the event in Makurdi on Monday on July 29, 2026, described the agreement as a major step toward institutionalising communal cooperation and strengthening peaceful coexistence across Benue.

He said the initiative was was part of ongoing efforts to address conflicts linked to natural resources, farmer-herder relations, insecurity, land disputes and other community tensions.

According to him, HD, an international mediation organization with a global track record in resolving conflicts, has been implementing peacebuilding programmes in Nigeria through dialogue, conflict prevention and sustainability-focused interventions that engage communities directly.

“The agreement builds on previous peace initiatives brokered by HD in Benue, including the Agatu peace agreement in 2022 and the Oju/Konshisha Resource Sharing Agreement in 2023, both achieved with the support of the BECPR.”

Agoha said violent conflicts have had devastating effects on communities, resulting not only in loss of lives and livelihoods but also in weakened institutions, mistrust, social fragmentation and psychological trauma, explaining that the statewide agreement reflects the collective commitment of community leaders and stakeholders to maintain peace and security, foster cooperation and create conditions for social progress and community cohesion.

The HD Country Manager noted that by endorsing the agreement, communities have chosen cooperation over conflict, respect for the rule of law over lawlessness, reconciliation over hostility and unity over division. He expressed confidence that the pact would help strengthen peacebuilding efforts and reinforce the spirit of unity in diversity among the people of Benue State.

In her Keynote address, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Father Adasu University Makurdi, Professor Member George-Gernyi, lauded the Benue State government, HD and all communities for their support to the agreement.

Gernyi recommended

To ensure the long-term viability of this peace process, Gernyi recommended capacity building in alternative dispute resolution for traditional institutions and community leaders in modern mediation and alternative dispute resolution arguing that by combining traditional negotiation methods with contemporary conflict-resolution techniques, communities can better manage disputes over resources without resorting to violence or prolonged litigation.

She stressed that sustainable peace cannot thrive amid economic hardship and destruction adding that “The peace agreement must be supported by investments in agriculture and infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of water resources, establishment of agricultural projects, and creation of alternative livelihoods for displaced youths.

According to her “Shared economic opportunities and common markets would strengthen cooperation among communities and make peace more beneficial than conflict.”

The speaker who called for sustainable funding and stronger grassroots peace structures, noting that volunteer efforts alone can no longer sustain peacebuilding initiatives, urged the establishment of a dedicated coordinating body to support local actors and ensure community-based peace mechanisms. She emphasized that peace is not achieved through a single agreement or ceremony but through continuous dialogue and cooperation in everyday life, from farms and markets to riverside communities.

The Director General Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation (BECPR), Josephine Habba, commended traditional rulers, community leaders, and stakeholders for their commitment to promoting peace, mutual respect, and harmonious coexistence across Benue State saying the signing of the agreement by representatives of various ethnic communities reflects a collective and voluntary commitment to building a peaceful and united society.

While stating that genuine agreements are not forced, Habba emphasized that peacebuilding is a continuous process that requires sincerity, cooperation, and sustained commitment from all parties noting that agreements can only succeed when those involved genuinely embrace their principles and are willing to uphold them.

She called on citizens to support one another, promote social and economic interaction, and work together to safeguard the gains already achieved and expressed confidence that the agreement would serve as a framework for lasting peace, reconciliation, and development in the state, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to fostering unity and stability for the benefit of all.

The Tor Tiv, HRM Orchivirigh Professor James Ayatse, who said the agreement signing should move into the hearts of all stakeholders noted that some agreements end up gathering dusts on the shelves and prayed that this would not be the case with the Natural Resource Sharing Agreement.

He commended the government for bringing and supporting the peace commission to facilitate the process and for providing an enabling environment for development partners like HD to flood the state.

He called for structure to ensure sustainability and the training of traditional rulers who would be driving the process.

He endorsed the blessings of the Och’Idoma on the agreement and pledged to monitor and ensure that work carried out by HD and the peace commission is implemented for the good of our people just as he solicited the backing of the State Government to ensure that the agreement is implemented.

The Och’Idoma, HRM Agabaidu John Elaigwu Odogbo, stated that no society can achieve sustainable development without peace, mutual respect, and understanding among its people.

He noted that the agreement before the stakeholders reflects a collective desire for ownership and represents a firm commitment to preserving lives, protecting the environment, safeguarding natural resources, and promoting lasting peace across Benue State.

The royal father commended the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation (BCPR), the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), and Governor Hyacinth Alia for their dedication and commitment to ensuring peace and fostering harmony among communities in the state. He said the true test of the agreement will begin after the signing ceremony, urging all stakeholders to remain vigilant and committed to its implementation.

The Och’Idoma called on the people of the state to replace suspicion with mutual trust built on integrity, and to unite behind a common vision and shared goals, emphasizing that Benue’s diversity should not be seen as a weakness, but rather as a source of strength and unity.

The Director General of the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to building a peaceful, secure and prosperous Benue State, stating that the signing of the Benue State-wide Natural Resource Sharing Agreement reflects the administration’s firm belief that sustainable development can only be achieved through sustainable peace.

Viashima expressed optimism that the agreement would move beyond commitments to tangible implementation, urging stakeholders to establish a robust Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework to track progress and measure impact.

He said the aspiration Is for the Benue Peace Process to emerge as a global best-practice model that can be documented, shared and replicated in other conflict-affected regions across Nigeria, Africa and beyond, while reaffirming BICD’s commitment to mobilising strategic partnerships and international cooperation to support the vision.

The ethnic communities represented at the signing include the Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Etulo, Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba communities among others. (The Sun)

Update news