Help & Trust Centre
How BenueConnect works, and how we keep it safe.
Getting started, your account, verification, community standards, reporting and safety — everything you need in one place.
Getting started
How do I create an account?
Go to Register. Enter your first and last name, your phone number or email, and a password. Then tell us your connection to Benue — Indigene, Living or working in Benue, Diaspora, or Friend of Benue — and your LGA and ward (or home LGA and chapter for diaspora). We send a code by SMS or a link by email to confirm your contact; once confirmed, your account is active.
Why do you ask for my LGA and ward?
Because BenueConnect is built from the ward up. Your LGA and ward determine which communities you are placed in, which official notices and alerts you receive, and which opportunities, businesses and events are shown to you first. Residents who are not indigenes are placed where they live — you belong to your community regardless of origin.
Can I use a phone number instead of email?
Yes. Enter a Nigerian mobile number (e.g. 0803…) and we confirm it by SMS. You can add an email later in Settings.
Is there a mobile app?
Yes — BenueConnect is available for Android and iOS. See Get the app. The website works on any phone browser as well.
What can I do without an account?
Browse the Public Square, LGA Communities, Opportunities, Businesses, Marketplace, Events and Diaspora pages. To post, comment, vote, join, apply, message or sell you need a free account.
Your account
I did not receive my confirmation code or email
Check the number or address you entered, wait a minute and use “Resend” on the confirmation screen. For email, check your spam folder. If it still does not arrive, contact us (below) with the phone or email you used.
I forgot my password
Use Forgot password; we send a reset link to your confirmed email or a code to your phone.
How do I change my LGA, ward or account type?
Settings → General. Changing your LGA or ward moves you to the new communities automatically. Government account type can only be assigned by an administrator.
How do I delete my account?
Settings → Delete account. Your profile and content are removed as described in the privacy policy.
Verification & badges
Trust is what makes BenueConnect useful. There are three tiers:
Confirmed
Every active member. Phone or email confirmed, real name, LGA and ward set.
Verified
Identity or registration documents reviewed by our team. For businesses, organisations, community and faith leaders, media and public figures.
Official
Government ministries, agencies and LGA councils only. Blue badge; the only accounts that can publish notices, consultations and alerts.
How do I get Verified?
Settings → Verification. Individuals upload a valid government ID and a photo; organisations add their registered name and CAC or registration number. Requests are reviewed by a person, normally within a few working days.
How does an institution become Official?
See BenueConnect for Government. Official status requires an authorisation letter and is confirmed with the institution directly. It cannot be self-assigned.
What do the profile badges mean?
Alongside the tier badge you will see the member’s connection to Benue (e.g. “Indigene · Otukpo LGA, Adoka ward” or “Diaspora · from Ukum LGA, London chapter”) and their account type (Individual, Business, Community group, Institution, Media & creator, Government).
Community standards
BenueConnect is a shared home for everyone in and from Benue — Tiv, Idoma, Igede, and every resident from elsewhere. These standards apply to every post, comment, message, page, group and listing.
Be real
Use your real name and represent only yourself or an organisation you are authorised to represent. Impersonating a person, a business or a government body is prohibited and leads to a permanent ban.
Be respectful
No hate speech, ethnic or religious incitement, threats, harassment, bullying or sexual content. Disagreement is welcome; dehumanising people is not.
Be truthful
Do not spread misinformation, fabricated official notices, fake job offers or fraudulent fundraisers. Do not present rumour as fact, especially on matters of security and health.
Be lawful
No sale of prohibited goods, no fraud (including “advance fee” schemes), no infringement of others’ intellectual property, no sharing of others’ private information.
Protect the vulnerable
Minors must not be exploited or endangered. Content that sexualises or endangers children is removed and reported to law enforcement.
Violations may result in content removal, a warning, temporary restriction, loss of verification, or permanent suspension — depending on severity and history. Official accounts are held to a higher standard.
Reporting & moderation
How do I report a post, a person or a listing?
Open the menu (…) on any post, comment, profile, page or product and choose “Report”. Choose a reason. Reports are anonymous to the person reported.
What happens after I report?
A moderator reviews the report against the standards above. Urgent categories (threats, child safety, active fraud) are prioritised. You are not always notified of the outcome, but every report is reviewed.
My content was removed — can I appeal?
Yes. Reply to the notification you received or contact us with the details; a second moderator reviews the decision.
How do I block someone?
Open their profile → menu → Block. They can no longer see your profile, message you or comment on your posts.
Staying safe
- Official information has a blue badge. If a “government notice” is not from a blue-badged Official account, treat it as unverified.
- No employer or scholarship asks for money to apply. Report any opportunity that requests a fee, and prefer Verified posters.
- Trade in person, in public. On the marketplace, meet in busy public places within the pickup LGA, inspect before paying, and avoid paying in advance to unverified sellers.
- Guard your login. Never share your password or confirmation code; BenueConnect staff will never ask for them.
- Check your privacy settings. You control who sees your posts, your phone and email, and who can message you — Settings → Privacy.
Contact us
Once registered you can contact the team from within the app. For questions about this page, verification, press or partnerships, use the contact details in the site footer. For emergencies, always contact the relevant emergency service first.
Ready to take part?
Browsing is free and open. To post, comment, join your LGA community, apply, list, buy, sell or attend, create a free account — it takes about a minute.
- Free forever
- Sign up with phone or email
- Auto-joined to your LGA & ward
