At the creation of Benue State in 1976, Mr. Suemo Chia was appointed the first commissioner for the ministry on the 2nd of April, 1976. He was succeeded by Chief Ignatius I. Nomhwange on the 15th of June, 1978. Dr. Moses E. Ada took over on the 21st of October, 1979, and was replaced by Chief John Musa Shuaibu on October 1st, 1983. Barr. John Ochoga took over on the 1st of December, 1983, until the military truncated the civil administration of Governor Aper Aku. Thereafter, subsequent persons were appointed to head the ministry during the military era and civilian administrations of late Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu. The administration of former Governor George Akume appointed Hon. Terhemba Shija on the 28th of September, 2001 who served as Commissioner until 30th December, 2002. Hon Emmanuel Udende to over on the 31st December, 2002 and served until 29th May, 2007. At the inception of the administration of Governor Gabriel Suswam in 2007, the ministry was renamed Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (BLGCA), with the current deputy governor of Benue State, Barr. Sam Ode, as the first adviser (21st July, 2007 to 5th April, 2010). He was succeeded by Honourable Solomon Wombo, who held the position until the end of the Governor Gabriel Suswam administration in 2015. Governor Samuel Ortom's administration, which also began in 2015, appointed Senator Titus Zam as special adviser for the Bureau and he was succeeded by Hon. Jerome Tor Shimbe, who died while in office. Barrister Kenneth Achabo was appointed following the demise and served until the end of the Ortom's administration in 2023. On the 3rd of October, 2024, Governor Hyacinth Alia, a priest who emerged as the 6th civilian governor of Benue State, appointed Dr. Dennis Akura, as special adviser for the Bureau who serverd until Mr. Denen Aondoakaa stepped in on the 23rd of September, 2025. Currently, the Permanent Secretary of the Bureau in person of Mr. Terna Ayu is in acting capacity as the Special Adviser pending the appointment of a substantive Adviser for the Bureau. Basic Functions of the Bureau.

1. Oversight and Supervision

i. Monitors and supervises the 23 Local Government Councils in Benue State.
ii. Evaluates the performance of local government councils.
iii. Ensures statutory meetings are held by councils. iv. Conducts routine checks on council leadership to ensure compliance with administrative procedures.
v. Ensures proper coordination of caretaker chairmen during election delays.
vi. Acts as a key stakeholder in the electoral process at the local government level.


2. Chieftaincy Affairs Administration

i. Facilitates appointment and recognition of traditional rulers.
ii. Oversees welfare of traditional rulers.
iii. Manages all matters relating to chieftaincy affairs.
iv. Handles construction and maintenance of official residences for paramount rulers.

3. Financial Management and Accountability

i. Enforces due process, accountability, and prudence in local government administration.
ii. Ensures all revenues are paid into designated bank accounts before expenditure.
iii. Supervises proper implementation of expenditures and policies.
iv. Collaborates with the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) to improve internally generated revenue. v. Oversees payment of severance gratuities to former council members.
vi. Ensures due process in awarding and execution of contracts.
vii. Establishes and supervises Local Government Tenders Boards.
viii. Conducts staff audit exercises to eliminate ghost workers.

4. Institutional Collaboration and Coordination
closely with:

i. Local Government Service Commission
ii. Office of the Auditor-General (Local Government Areas)
iii. State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB)
iv. Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS)
v. Local Government Pension Board
vi. Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT)
vii. Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE)
viii. Promotes synergy for effective governance and development at the local level.

5. Capacity Building and Administrative Reforms

i. Drives Information Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives.
i. Drives Information Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives.
ii. Provides capacity building for local government staff.
iii. Promotes staff orientation to encourage ownership and reduce truancy.
iv. Transforms local governments into functional administrative institutions.

6. Development Programmes and Projects

i. Implements policies and programmes to enhance community development.
ii. Manages the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS).
iii. Oversees the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project.
iv. Collaborate with Pilgrimage Board.
v. Facilitates transition to e-payment systems.
vi. Provides alternative power systems for local government councils.

7. Infrastructure Development

i. Handles survey, design, and construction of roads within local government headquarters (in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Housing).
ii. Oversees plans, drawings, construction, and maintenance of official residences for paramount rulers