The main thrust of this paper is to examine the history of the creation and development of Benue state since 1976.The study used the historical methodology of research which made use of essentially primary, secondary and tertiary data to achieve its objectives. A multidisciplinary approach was also used in its analysis because of the complex nature of the subject matter.

The paper reveals that the journey to the creation of Benue state started with the creation of the Benue province as part of the Northern region by the colonial administration. Due to continued agitations by the minority groups in the Northern region including the Middle Belt for a state, which would take care of their interest, the Benue-Plateau state was created. The paper however argues that, because of the inability of the newly created Benue-Plateau State to sufficiently address the dichotomy between the Benue and Plateau blocs of the State, it led to serious feud between these two, this culminated in the agitation and consequently, the creation of Benue State for the Benue bloc of the Benue-Plateau in 1976.

The paper among other things examines the developmental strides in the state since its creation with a view of ascertaining its level of development. It also examines the development potentials that the state is endowed with including, agriculture, natural minerals, tourism, etc, and suggested for a proper harnessing of these potentials in the state to tackle issues of unemployment, poor infrastructure, poverty, etc, so as to place Benue state on the map of developed states in Nigeria.