PLATEAU STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
Home of Peace and Tourism
Overall pSPI Rank:
9th out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Excellent 4-Star Performer)
People & Culture
A Land of Heritage and Diversity
Plateau State, the twelfth largest state in Nigeria with a landmass of 30,913 sq km, it is known for its breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage. The state was created on February 3, 1976, during General Murtala Mohammed’s regime. Originally part of Benue-Plateau State, Plateau State was later carved out to stand as a separate entity.
Jos, the state capital, derives its name from ‘Gwosh,’ which was mispronounced by Hausa traders. The state has a population of over 5 million people and is home to about 40 ethnic groups, with Berom, Tarok, and Ngas being some of the largest. While each ethnic group retains its language, Hausa is widely spoken for communication.
Plateau State is also home to the Nok Culture, one of Africa’s earliest civilisations known for its iron smelting and terracotta sculptures. The state hosts festivals such as the Irigwe New Year Celebration, Pusdung Festival, Pan Cultural Festival, and Kulere Festival, which showcase its cultural richness.
Politics
The Middlebelt's Political Battleground
Plateau is one of Nigeria’s most politically dynamic states, reflecting the complexities of ethnic, religious, and regional identities. Power here has alternated between PDP and APC, with no party able to establish complete dominance.
The 2023 elections saw Caleb Mutfwang of PDP take over from APC’s Simon Lalong, signalling a shift back to PDP. However, Plateau remains deeply divided along ethnic and religious lines, making governance a delicate balancing act.
Given its history of sectarian tensions and political rivalries, Plateau’s elections are often high-stakes affairs, with every shift in leadership carrying significant social and political implications.
Economy – Triple Advantage - A Hub for Agriculture, Mining, and Tourism
Plateau State is renowned for its favourable climate, making it one of Nigeria’s most agriculturally productive states. It produces crops like Irish potatoes, maize, soybeans, acha (hungry rice), yams, and vegetables. The Jos Plateau’s tsetse-free highlands make it ideal for dairy and cattle rearing.
The state has a long history of tin and columbite mining, though mining activities have declined due to environmental challenges and economic shifts. Other minerals present in the state include tantalite, kaolin, and gemstones.
Plateau State also holds immense tourism potential, with natural attractions such as Wase Rock, Kerang Volcanic Mountain, Asop Falls, and Kura Falls drawing visitors from across the country. The state government has been making efforts to improve tourism infrastructure to boost revenue.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦4,958 |  16th |
| IGR Per km² | ₦836,054 | 22nd |
| IGR Per Mineral Resources | ₦7.4 billion | 11th |
| IGR Per Trade Route | ₦6.46 billion | 18th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 22% | 18th |
What this means:
The state has a moderate Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) performance, ranking 16th in IGR per capita and 22nd in IGR per land area, indicating a steady revenue stream but with room for improvement in efficiency. Despite having one of the lowest revenues from mineral resources (36th place), the state compensates through trade, ranking 18th in IGR per trade route. Notably, 22% of its total revenue comes from IGR (7th highest nationally), showing strong financial independence compared to many other states. This suggests that the state relies more on commerce and taxation rather than natural resources for revenue generation.
pSPI Performance - Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Strong Agricultural Sector: Strong agricultural sector and food production capacity.
Growing Tourism Industry: Thriving tourism industry with natural and cultural attractions.
Improved Business Climate: Improved ease of doing business, ranking 10th nationally
Weaknesses
High Debt Burden:High debt-to-revenue ratio, ranked 33rd nationally, indicating fiscal stress.
Road Infrastructure Deficits: Infrastructure challenges, particularly in road networks, are affecting connectivity and mobility.
Security Challenges: Security concerns are affecting economic growth and deterring investment.
Citizen Satisfaction - Public Opinion on Governance
Residents’ opinions on public services in Plateau State:
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 17th | 41% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 10th | 32% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 22nd | 30% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 16th | 30% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 19th | 47% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 12th | 37% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 12th | 31% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 16th | 12% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programmes | 11th | 37% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 13th | 27% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 2nd | 61% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 17th | 26% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 6th | 53% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 15th | 41% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 12th | 32% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 9th | 32% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
FCT Abuja
Better infrastructure and opportunities
Lagos State
Business and economic prospects
Plateau State
Cultural and environmental appeal
Kano State
Access to commercial opportunities
Kaduna State
Better infrastructure and opportunities
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Zamfara State
Security concerns
Borno State
Insurgency-related issues
Lagos State
Overcrowding and cost of living
Bauchi State
Less opportunities
Plateau State (itself)
Religious and ethnic tension
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
Key survey insights from the PSPI survey indicate
do not know their local government chairman.
unaware of projects at the LGA level
unaware of socioeconomic programmes
Despite being familiar with local leadership, this gap represents a significant governance failure, indicating that projects and programmes are not effectively communicated.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Jos South (23%), Jos North (19%), Bokkos (8%), Pankshin (8%), Kanke (7%), Mangu (7%).
Citizens’ Recommendations - What the People Want
600 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Jobs and Skills Matter: Citizens called for more employment opportunities and skill-building programmes. Many recommended stronger public-private partnerships and job fairs targeted at youths.
- Make Healthcare Work: Respondents urged the government to reduce the cost of healthcare services and ensure the availability of well-equipped and staffed hospitals.
- Better Security, More Peace: Concerns were raised over recurring insecurity. Citizens want a stronger state response to community clashes, along with inclusive dialogue and peace programmes.
- Clean Environment, Clean Water: Residents appreciated the state’s environmental cleanliness (ranked 6th), but want more action on clean water provision and drainage in rapidly growing communities.
- Improve Transparency in Governance: While policy publicity ranked relatively well, citizens still called for more frequent updates on government projects and stronger accountability from public servants
pSPI Recommendations - Action Plan for Plateau
Based on the pSPI data and citizen feedback, Plateau urgently needs to:
- Strengthen Employment and Livelihood Support: With high dissatisfaction on employment (68% dissatisfied), Plateau should prioritise job creation strategies. This includes public works programmes, entrepreneurship support, and partnerships with the private sector for skill development.
- Improve Healthcare Affordability and Access: Citizens flagged healthcare costs and service quality as challenges. The government should subsidise primary healthcare, upgrade rural clinics, and improve the supply of essential medicines and staffing levels.
- Enhance Public Safety and Conflict Prevention: Plateau ranks low on security (22nd nationwide), with 38% expressing dissatisfaction. The state must deepen peacebuilding efforts, invest in community-based conflict resolution, and improve the visibility and accountability of law enforcement.
- Support for Local Businesses and Market Development: Respondents showed mixed satisfaction with government support for local businesses. Strengthening MSME financing, market infrastructure, and tax incentives can boost the business environment.
- Expand Clean Water and Sanitation Infrastructure: Dissatisfaction with clean water availability remains high (42%). Strategic investments in water supply systems, especially in peri-urban and rural areas, can address health risks and improve the quality of life.
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Plateau State 2025
continues to make strides in governance, agriculture, and tourism. Addressing security concerns, infrastructure deficits, and economic diversification will position the state as a leading economic and cultural hub in Nigeria.