Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to economic transformation, security reform, and institutional rebuilding, while addressing members of the press in a media parley held recently in Jos.
Reflecting on the journey since his inauguration on 29 May, 2023, the Governor emphasised that poverty remains the central challenge affecting the people of Plateau. He described insecurity not merely as a law enforcement issue, but as a calculated economic strategy aimed at impoverishing the rural population and displacing communities from their farmlands.
“We were clear-minded from the beginning that our main objective is to lift our people out of poverty,” Governor Mutfwang said. “What we’ve witnessed over time is a deliberate attempt to prevent people from farming, especially during planting seasons. This is not just a farmer-herder clash, but organised criminality targeting our economy.”
He highlighted Plateau’s potential in agriculture, pointing to the state’s dominance in potato production. “What we used to call Irish potatoes should now rightly be called Plateau Potatoes,” he noted, revealing plans to partner with global seed companies such as Agrico to improve yield quality and export readiness.
Governor Mutfwang disclosed that Plateau will host the African Potato Conference in 2028, a sign of the state’s growing agricultural reputation. “It may surprise you to learn that major hotels in Nigeria import potatoes from South Africa because of quality and traceability. We’re working to reverse that.”
On livestock, the Governor proposed a new economic model for dairy farming, citing the introduction of high-yield Frisian cattle that produce up to 20 litres of milk daily. “Open grazing is economically obsolete,” he said. “With a structured model, even a family with two improved cows can earn sustainably. Nigeria still has a huge milk deficit, and Plateau is well-positioned to close that gap.”
He also revealed the construction of a 500-capacity abattoir tailored for export-grade beef and encouraged ranching over open grazing, stating that global beef export standards demand younger, better-fed cattle than what is commonly available through traditional herding.
Touching on security, Mutfwang maintained that a mischaracterisation of the root causes had prolonged unrest. “In many cases, what we face is an economic war masked as ethno-religious crisis,” he said, adding that the creation of state police and decentralised intelligence networks are crucial for more responsive and localised security operations.
He cited the security situation in Mangu, Wase, and surrounding LGAs, describing coordinated attacks that coincide with farming seasons. “Security agencies were fired at while escorting tractors to reclaim abandoned farmlands. This shows the deliberate economic sabotage at play,” he said.
The Governor also pointed to recent improvements in tackling banditry, especially in remote areas like Wase, which shares borders with Taraba, Gombe, and Bauchi. “We are reclaiming territory and planning to restart grazing activities under controlled reserves.”
On broader development, Mutfwang highlighted three economic drivers for Plateau: agriculture, mining, and tourism. He lamented the disorder in the mining sector, where illegal activities, foreign exploitation, and environmental risks persist. “We recently suspended mining to enforce standards. Safety lapses have claimed lives and many resources remain undeclared.”
The state has now launched the Plateau Minerals Development Company to participate in regulated mining and boost internal revenue.
In the tourism sector, the Governor announced the renovation of legacy hotels like Hill Station and Plateau Hotels through public-private partnerships. “We’re also developing a tourism master plan covering medical, cultural, and sports tourism. Plateau is a transit hub to the Northeast, and hotel occupancy rates have spiked.”
Revival efforts also extend to moribund assets including Bark Farms, ASTC, and Jos International Breweries, which are being repositioned for productivity through private investment.
On civil service reform, he acknowledged the massive manpower gap due to a decade-long recruitment freeze. “There are ministries where the next generation of officers is missing entirely. We are rebuilding the civil service from the ground up,” he said.
In education, Mutfwang noted that accreditation was lost in many state institutions prior to his administration. “The Plateau State Polytechnic fell from 13,000 students to 3,000. We’ve now increased enrolment to over 6,000. Confidence is returning.”
He concluded by calling for honest national conversations around security, decentralisation, and economic empowerment. “This isn’t about attacking the presidency. It’s about confronting the realities on the ground. We’re laying a new foundation for a resilient Plateau,” he said.
Governor Mutfwang Reaffirms Commitment To Economic Rebirth, Security, Sectoral Revival In Plateau
