A cross section of participants at the Youth Parley held at Government House, Jos, to mark Governor Mutfwang’s two years in office.
By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
Plateau State Government has unveiled bold plans to empower tens of thousands of youths, including training 100,000 young people in digital skills and engaging others in agribusiness, under the inclusive leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, made this known at the Youth Parley held at Government House, Jos, to mark Governor Mutfwang’s two years in office.
Themed “ Celebrating Two Years of Youth-Inclusive Leadership,” the event brought together youth stakeholders to assess progress and co-design future programmes.
“In two short, yet profound years, Governor Mutfwang has shown genuine commitment to youth development,” Ashoms said. “He has planted seeds that are already bearing fruit.”
He revealed that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development had signed an agreement with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, to train 10,000 youths in tranches , positioning them as agripreneurs and food security solution providers. He also disclosed that **thousands more will soon be engaged through the BARC Farm Youth Project in large-scale and productive agriculture.
According to him, “The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) is not just another project. It is a marketplace for young farmers, where off-takers and processors will strengthen the value chain. Plateau will not only produce but process and export.”
On digital innovation, Ashoms announced that the government is preparing to train 100,000 Plateau youths in coding, robotics, AI, data science, and blockchain, as part of a broader Digital Literacy Roadmap. He added that plans are underway to remodel the Standard Building in Jos into a global outsourcing and technology hub, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Digital Economy.
“This will allow Plateau youths to connect to global clients and earn income remotely,” he said.
Ashoms further revealed that 250 youths are currently undergoing leadership training at the Citizenship and Leadership Centre, Shere Hills, Lamingo, while others will benefit from local and international workshops and exchange programmes.
He also emphasized that under Governor Mutfwang’s inclusive leadership, “65% of key appointments have gone to young people. We are not just being spoken to; we are being given the microphone.”
In his remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Arch. Samuel Nanchang Jatau, urged young people to reject divisions and focus on nation-building. “You don’t need a title to make an impact,” he said. “Start where you are. Be focused and persistent.”
From the legislative arm, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan, disclosed that a new Plateau Youth Agricultural Policy Plan has been submitted to the governor. “It will allow youths to access farm inputs and pay back after harvest. That’s what we mean by sustainable empowerment,” he explained.
He also highlighted the youthful composition of the current Assembly and appointments across the state. “This is not business as usual. We are building a financially independent youth class—people who can thrive locally and compete globally.”
Dewan urged youths to embrace professionalism, discipline, and self-development. “Don’t wait for politics. Study medicine. Learn tech. Start small businesses. The future belongs to the skilled and prepared,” he said.
The event also featured presentations from the Ministry of Environment, ICT agencies, Plateau Express Services, and PEPSA. Participants raised issues on land access, mining, youth inclusion in governance, and environmental protection.
