HD Brokers State-Wide Natural Resource Sharing Agreement in the Middle Belt of Nigeria
BENUE STATE, NIGERIA – 29 JUNE 2026 – The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) has facilitated the signing of a landmark Natural Resource Peace Agreement between ten community groups from Benue State, marking a significant milestone in addressing long-standing resource-related conflicts and advancing sustainable peace across the state.
The agreement represents the culmination of more than six years of dialogue, mediation, and confidence-building facilitated by HD Nigeria in Benue State. It is also the first state-wide agreement facilitated by HD in Nigeria.
It establishes a shared framework for the equitable, transparent, and sustainable management of natural resources, incorporating climate-sensitive provisions and long-term resource management strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict. By promoting equitable access to natural resources, strengthening community-based conflict management mechanisms, and encouraging cooperation among communities, the agreement provides a foundation for peaceful coexistence, social cohesion, and sustainable development in Benue State.
Benue State has borne the brunt of resource-related tensions – primarily between farmers and herders – over the past two decades, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of people. These clashes over essential resources such as water, farmland, pasture, and grazing routes have been exacerbated by boundary disputes, governance challenges, and contentious land ownership.
The agreement was signed following an inclusive dialogue and mediation process involving the ten communities that focused on key thematic areas, including:
- Natural resource conflicts and the impacts of climate change
- Farmer-herder relations
- Insecurity and violence
- Land and boundary disputes
- Leadership concerns
In his remarks at the signing ceremony, the Benue State Governor, H.E Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, commended HD for its unwavering commitment to dialogue, mediation, and consensus building: “Today’s achievement is a testament to what is possible when people choose cooperation over conflict. As a government, we are fully committed to implementing this agreement. I conclude by conveying the appreciation of the government and people of Benue State to Dr. David Harland, Executive Director of HD, for his leadership of the organization.”
The Paramount Traditional Ruler of the Tiv Nation in Benue State, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, stated that “the government has created an enabling environment for development partners to work, noting that HD is leading in this intervention process, and the organization has not failed but has recorded successes in the state over the years.”
Delivering his goodwill message to the audience, HD’s Executive Director, Dr. David Harland, reaffirmed HD’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the agreement:
“HD will continue to support and oversee the implementation of the agreement with the goal of strengthening peace, stability, and peaceful coexistence across Benue State and the wider region”. He added: “This agreement not only marks an important step forward for the people of Benue State, but for the world…climate change is on the march, and you have taken the lead in confronting its worst symptoms and addressing them fundamentally via the community. It is full of lessons that need to be learned and studied around the world, and we will be with you to do that.”
Chris Agoha, HD Nigeria’s Country Manager, highlighted the significance of the agreement as a model for community-led cooperation and collaboration:
“This initiative led by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue marks a turning point toward the institutionalization of communal multilateral cooperation and collaboration. The ten communities that have committed to the signing of this epoch-making natural resource sharing agreement today have chosen cooperation over chaos, law over lawlessness, dignity over domination, hope over pervasive fear, reconciliation over antagonism and hatred.”
In their joint remarks, the two Paramount Traditional Rulers in Benue State, representing the Tiv and Idoma communities, commended HD for the great achievement and pledged the continued support of traditional rulers in the implementation of the resource sharing agreement.
This landmark agreement was facilitated as part of HD’s climate-sensitive peacemaking engagements under the Weathering Risk Peace Pillar initiative, supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.
