In a bid to strengthen youth entrepreneurship and business sustainability, the Plateau State Government has graduated 450 young entrepreneurs following a comprehensive financial literacy and digital marketing skills training program.

The initiative, organized by the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA) in collaboration with the Plateau Youth Council (PYC), held its closing ceremony on October 15, 2025, at Eliel Centre, Jos. Themed “Plateau Youths Mastering Financial Literacy and Digital Skills for Business,” the program received support from GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

Representing Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Secretary to the State Government, Arch. Samuel Nanchang Jatau, described the initiative as a move toward “liberation and economic renewal” for Plateau youths.

“This means bigger opportunities and fulfilled promises,” Jatau said. “During the campaigns, Governor Mutfwang promised to give youths a new lease of life, and today’s empowerment shows that the government is walking that talk. In the coming months, more initiatives, including grants and entrepreneurship programs, will be launched to boost youth participation in the economy.”

He also disclosed that the state government is taking proactive measures to enhance security through youth-focused recruitment into Operation Rainbow, with 1,450 new recruits set to begin training to support security efforts across Plateau communities.

“Security is not entirely in the hands of state governments, but Plateau is taking proactive steps. We’ve trained 600 personnel previously and will now train 1,450 more to complement federal security agencies,” Jatau stated, adding that Jos is steadily regaining its reputation as one of the safest cities in northern Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Bomkam Ali Wuyep, Director General of PLASMIDA, said the program represents another milestone in the state’s drive to promote entrepreneurship and reduce poverty.

“We trained 450 youth entrepreneurs drawn from the 17 local government areas of Plateau on financial literacy and digital skills to prepare them for today’s evolving business environment,” Wuyep explained. “Our aim is to ensure sustainability, scalability, and economic prosperity across the state.”

He added that the training, which covered business management, access to finance, and digital marketing, was designed to reduce business failure rates among small enterprises.

“We expect to see thriving businesses and increased job creation. We’ve linked participants with financial institutions like FCMB to enable them to access MSME-friendly products. Those who met requirements have already received POS machines to support their operations,” he said.

The Plateau Youth Council Chairman, Mr. Panan Gongden Dapar, commended the state government and its partners for what he described as a “timely and transformative” intervention.

“This program comes at a time when many youths lack productive engagement,” he noted. “Training 450 young Plateau entrepreneurs on financial and digital literacy will undoubtedly impact the state’s economy in the years to come.”

Dapar also encouraged the beneficiaries to extend the knowledge gained to others within their communities to ensure the benefits reach the grassroots.

The training aligns with the Mutfwang administration’s Seven-Point Policy Thrust, particularly its focus on education and human capacity development, aimed at empowering citizens, creating jobs, and reducing poverty across Plateau State.