Ololade Adeyanju/
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has declared the state ready to take a commanding role in Nigeria’s fast-emerging Orange Economy, banking on its tourism potential, creative talent, cultural diversity and expanding technology ecosystem to drive jobs and sustainable growth.
Mutfwang made the declaration while hosting participants of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Senior Executive Course 48 at a state banquet marking the conclusion of their Local Study Tour of Plateau State.
Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Communication and Supervising Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Hospitality, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, mni, the governor described Plateau as not only Nigeria’s “Home of Peace and Tourism” but also a potential bedrock of the country’s Orange Economy.
Ramnap said the Mutfwang administration, under its “Time is Now” agenda, was deliberately repositioning tourism, hospitality, technology and the creative sector to generate employment for young people and transform Plateau into a globally competitive destination.
According to her, the government has approved a Tourism Development Plan and developed an Implementation Readiness Framework with support from the United Nations Development Programme.
She said the administration was also reviving some of Plateau’s iconic tourism and hospitality assets through public-private partnerships, including the Jos Wildlife Park, Plateau Hotel and Hill Station Hotel, which is scheduled to resume operations in October.
The renovation of the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, she added, forms part of the broader drive to restore strategic public infrastructure and stimulate economic activity.
Beyond tourism, Ramnap disclosed that the state was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Communications to establish a Business Process Outsourcing Centre in Jos, designed to connect young people in Plateau with remote employment opportunities from clients around the world.
She said the government, working through the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA), Plateau State One-Stop Investment Centre (PS-OSIC) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, was also expanding MSME capacity building, financial literacy, women and youth empowerment and investment partnerships.
Highlighting the state’s comparative advantages, the commissioner pointed to Plateau’s near-temperate climate, more than 50 ethnic groups, spectacular rock formations, festivals, crafts and rich reservoir of creative talent.
“Plateau’s near-temperate climate, over 50 ethnic groups, dramatic rock formations, festivals, crafts and creative talents are assets to the world,” she said.
“From Nollywood to music, P-Square, M.I, 2Baba all have Jos roots. Even in entrepreneurship, Plateau is producing national champions across sectors.
“The Orange Economy is the future, and Plateau is ready to lead.”
The Orange Economy broadly encompasses economic activities built around creativity, culture, arts, entertainment, media, heritage, design and other intellectual and creative assets.
Responding, leader of the NIPSS delegation, retired DIG Leye Oyebade, mni, and Directing Staff, Prof. Chubah Ezeh, commended the Plateau State Government and residents for their hospitality during the study tour.
They described Plateau as a significant case study in the intersection of peace, tourism and creative enterprise, noting that insights gathered during the visit would contribute to policy recommendations to the Presidency.
Ramnap, herself an alumna of NIPSS Senior Executive Course 44, told the participants that the time had passed for repeatedly diagnosing the challenges confronting the creative economy, stressing that attention must now shift to implementation.
“Plateau no longer needs diagnosis for the Orange Economy. What we need now is sustained, coordinated execution,” she said.
“Under Governor Mutfwang, Plateau is open for business, creativity and partnership. We remain the Home of Peace and Tourism.”
The NIPSS delegation said findings from the tour would help shape recommendations to the Presidency on youth employment, MSME financing and the development of appropriate structures for sustainable growth of Nigeria’s creative sector.
Other officials at the banquet included the Permanent Secretary, Policy and General Services, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Timothy Gayi; General Manager, Plateau Tourism Corporation, Mr. Chuwang Pwajok; and Special Adviser on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Dr. Dankyes Ephraim.
Representatives of PLASMIDA, PS-OSIC and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry also presented the state government’s interventions in entrepreneurship development and investment facilitation.
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