By Polycarp Auta

The Plateau government and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Tourism and Creative Economy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU), toward boosting tourism in Plateau.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that Governor Caleb Mutfwang signed the document on behalf of the north-central state, while Hajia Hanatu Musawa, the minister, signed on behalf of the Federal Government.

Speaking at the ceremony held in Abuja, Musawa said that the goal was to build a synergy toward reinvigorating tourism in Plateau.

“The creative economy is one area we have not harnessed effectively.

“President Bola Tinubu’s administration is focused on diversifying the economy and one area we are targeting for robust growth is tourism,” she said.

The minister said that Plateau’s weather, wildlife sector and captivating natural habitats had made it attractive to foreign and local tourists, hence the need to revive and improve its tourists’ attraction sites.

She expressed happiness that the state had continued to attract lots of visitors in spite of its challenges.

She also commended Mutfwang’s deep interest in diversifying the Plateau and national economy, pointing out that more jobs would be created If the tourism industry is given the deserved attention.

“You cannot talk about tourism without mentioning Plateau, so I am happy that we are working on this initiative.

“Tourism has never been extinct in Plateau. It will never be. Saying Plateau is unsafe for tourism is a wrong narrative we must avoid.

“Plateau is where tourists can go into, directly,” she stated.

The minister promised that the Federal Government would work with states to boost initiatives targeted at shoring up Nigeria’s economic growth, and assured Mutfwang of her support “at all times”.

In his remarks, Mutfwang thanked the minister for the deep interest in Plateau and declared that she was “Plateau State’s Cultural Ambassador”.

He regretted that the culture and tourism sector had not been given the deserved attention in the country.

“This is a sector we have left fallow for too long.

“In Plateau, we organise a Unity Carols and Praise Festival which ushers in December every year and that usually attracts many people to the state.

“In 2024, we had lots of prominent people that joined the millions that trooped into Plateau for the activity.

“In 2025, we even had a group from Katsina State. We have had former national leaders like retired Generals Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo, among others.

“People come in and get into hiking and hot air balloon, among other activities. We want to make it even more unique this year.

“The idea is to show that Plateau is peaceful and safe so that we can change the negative narratives.

“There are some sporadic attacks, but Jos is safe, by and large. We want to make Jos attractive to all.

“People keep trooping to Plateau. Its hospitality sector is still booming. The hotels and other recreation spots are always filled up.

“We are committed to making Plateau safe and we are deploying technology to make Jos safer,” he said.

Mutfwang said his administration would develop a Diaspora City in Jos.

“We have the space and weather to do that; we shall do it,” he added.

Mutfwang also spoke of the many tourism sites in Plateau and pointed out that the Wild Life Park in Jos was second in Africa only to the one in Kenya.

“We need to revive it to make it more lively and attractive. We are already on that,” he said.

He also spoke of the Naraguta Leather Works and disclosed that there was an ongoing Public Private Partnership (PPP), arrangement to revive it.

According to him, other projects being revived through PPP arrangements include the Plateau Hotel and the Solomon Lar Amusement Park in Jos.

He said that the Plateau government had signed an MoU with a private firm to develop tourism sites in Kerang, especially around the volcanic mountains that produce the Swan water.

The governor said that the hills behind Police College, Jos were being considered for development as a tourism spot with prospective developers already making enquiries.

He said that the state had a special specie of cactus in Pankshin.

“That specie of cactus is found only in Pankshin. There is nowhere else you can get it in the whole world,” he said.

He said that Plateau had many games reserves waiting to be revived, and expressed optimism that the MoU with the Federal Government would help the state to develop such sites to international tourism sites.

“Generally, there is a lot we can leverage on. And a lot is going on. We want your ministry to facilitate some of the programmes in this respect,” he said.

He commended the minister for the support and called for an even deeper cooperation toward building a strong tourism sector that would attract tourists, generate revenue and create jobs.

“Our goal is to develop a strong tourism sector that will attract foreign and local tourists to Plateau all year round,” Mutfwang said. (NAN)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin