Governor Caleb Mutfwang has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a resilient, private sector-driven economy, declaring that manufacturing will remain central to Plateau State’s industrialisation agenda.
The governor made the declaration during an interactive breakfast meeting with manufacturers, investors, business leaders, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at the Government House in Jos, as the government intensifies efforts to attract investment, create jobs, and diversify the state’s economy.
The engagement, which brought together captains of industry, regulatory agencies, entrepreneurs, and key players in the organised private sector, followed recent discussions between the governor and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
It aimed to strengthen collaboration between the government and the private sector to drive industrial development across the state.
Addressing participants, Mutfwang commended investors for maintaining confidence in Plateau despite years of economic and security challenges.
He assured them that his administration is creating an enabling environment for businesses through improved infrastructure, enhanced security, policy reforms, and strategic partnerships.
“It takes courage to invest in an environment where the operating climate has not always been favourable. Our commitment is to build a resilient and sustainable economy that is no longer dependent on federal allocations. The private sector remains the engine that will drive Plateau’s economic transformation,” he said.
The governor identified agribusiness as the foundation of the state’s industrialisation strategy, saying that investments in potatoes, livestock, coffee, acha, horticulture, and other agricultural value chains would provide raw materials for manufacturing, create employment, and boost exports.
“We are not merely investing in agriculture; we are unlocking complete value chains. Feedlots, dairy production, cold-chain facilities, processing, transportation, packaging and exports all represent significant investment opportunities. As incomes rise, purchasing power increases, businesses expand, and the economy grows,” he added.
Mutfwang said his administration was determined to unlock the economic potential of agriculture, mining, tourism, and manufacturing to reduce the state’s dependence on federal allocations.
He highlighted ongoing initiatives, including the establishment of West Africa’s largest Potato Tissue Culture Laboratory for quality seed multiplication, rehabilitation of tractor fleets, construction of an ultra-modern abattoir, dairy development programmes, and strategic partnerships designed to position Plateau as one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural processing and export hubs.
The governor also outlined investments in road infrastructure, electricity, digital connectivity, tourism, and hospitality, noting that the projects were aimed at lowering the cost of doing business, improving competitiveness, and attracting both local and foreign investors.
“We are building an economy that is resilient, sustainable, and driven by the private sector. Government does not have all the answers, and we remain open to constructive dialogue and partnerships that will position Plateau as the economic powerhouse of Northern Nigeria,” he stated.
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Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mohammed Nyalum, described the meeting as a strategic platform for sustained dialogue between government and industry, expressing optimism that closer collaboration with the organised private sector would accelerate industrialisation, attract investments, and create more jobs.
“This breakfast meeting is a deliberate platform for continuous engagement with manufacturers on the Plateau. Such dialogue remains essential for industrial growth, innovation, investment, and employment generation,” Nyalum said.
Earlier, Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Bauchi, Benue, Plateau, Gombe, and Nasarawa Branch, Ajibola Kayode-Ojo, praised the governor for initiating direct engagement with manufacturers, describing the manufacturing sector as the backbone of industrial growth, innovation, and wealth creation.
He urged the state government to harmonise taxes and levies to eliminate multiple taxation, reduce regulatory bottlenecks, and sustain investments in roads, electricity, telecommunications, and security to improve industrial productivity.
Kayode-Ojo also called for increased patronage of locally manufactured products, institutionalised engagements with manufacturers, and invited the governor to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the association’s proposed permanent secretariat in Plateau State.
The governor later toured exhibition stands displaying food products, beverages, cosmetics, household items, and other goods produced by indigenous companies.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting local manufacturers, strengthening MSMEs, and creating an enabling business environment to drive industrial growth and sustainable economic development across Plateau State.
