The Slogan

Home of Peace and Tourism

Date Of Creation

3 February 1976

Geography

Adjacent states
Bauchi State – to the north east
Kaduna State – to the north west
Nasarawa State – to the south west
Taraba State – to the south east

Brief History

Plateau state has been adjusted to its present borders many times. Colonial manipulation was from a desire to protect the railway construction and guarantee safe passage of mined tin to the coast. There was also an attempt initially to create a province of largely non-Muslims under one Resident.Later alterations came from strong local desires for self-government.

The British began to exert colonial control of Nigeria in the early 20th century. At that time, much of Plateau State was part of Bauchi Province. In 1926, Plateau Province, made up of Jos and Pankshin Divisions, was carved out of Bauchi. The border changed several times in subsequent years as the government sought not to split ethnic groups. In May 1967, Benue and Plateau Provinces were merged to form the large Benue-Plateau State. At this time Nigeria had twelve states.

Following the civil war, Benue-Plateau State was one of several large states which were further split up following pressure on the Federal Government. Under the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon, the country was further divided into nineteen states in 1976 and Plateau State was created from Benue-Plateau covering the area of the original Plateau Province. In 1996, Plateau State was further subdivided to create Nasarawa State which was carved out of the western half of Plateau State by Sani Abacha’s military regime.

Tin mining activities began in 1902 under the British and continue to the present day.

The Local Government area

In 1976, Plateau State consisted of fourteen (14) Local Government Areas (LGAs). New LGAs were carved out of the large ones in 1989, 1991 and 1996, so that today, the new Plateau State is subdivided into the following seventeen (17) LGAs:

Barkin Ladi
Bassa
Bokkos
Jos East
Jos North
Jos South
Kanam
Kanke
Langtang North
Langtang South
Mangu
Mikang
Pankshin
Qua’an Pan
Riyom
Shendam
Wase

The Governor

Simon Bako Lalong (APC)

The Deputy governor

Sonni Gwanle Tyoden

The Senators

C: Hezekiah Ayuba Dimka (APC)
N: Istifanus Gyang (PDP)
S: Nora Daduut (APC)

Representatives

Member Party
Simon Mwadkwon PDP
Solomon Maren PDP
Bassa Vacant
Dachung Musa Bagos PDP
Gagdi Adamu Yusuf PDP
Beni Lar PDP
Komsol Longgap APC
Wase Ahmed Idris Wase APC

The Website

plateaustate.gov.ng

Major Cities

Jos

Prominent Places

The Wildlife Safari Park

The National Museum

The Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture

Jos Zoo

Assop Falls

Kurra Falls

Pandam Game Reserve 

Mineral Resources

he world’s largest known deposits of columbite, an ore of niobium found associated with tin, have also been exploited since the 1940s. Smaller quantities of tantalite, wolfram (tungsten), kaolin, zircon, and uranium are also mined. Lead and iron ore are found in eastern and central Plateau state.

The population

Population (2006)
• Total 3,206,531

Postal Code

930001

Culture and tourism

Wildlife Park Jos
sits in the middle of 8 km2 (3.09 sq. miles) of unspoiled savanna bush, about 4 km (2 mi) from Jos. It offers a wide variety of wild animals within easy viewing. These include Buffalos, Lions, baboons, derby elands, Rock pythons, crocodiles, chimpanzees, and Marabou storks. It was once home to the rare pygmy hippopotamus, which had been successfully bred in the ‘hippo pool’. The park also boasts great, panoramic views of Jos city.
Elephant at Jos Wildlife Park
The National Museum in Jos was founded in 1952, and is recognised as one of the best in the country. It is renowned for its archeology and The Pottery Hall has an exceptional collection of finely crafted pottery from all over Nigeria. The museum boasts some fine specimens of Nok terracotta heads and artifacts dating from between 500 BC to 200 AD.
The Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture is adjacent, with life-size replicas of a variety of buildings, from the walls of Kano and to a Tiv village. In addition, articles of interest from colonial times relating to the railway and tin mining can be found on display.
Solomon Lar Amusement Park Situated in Jos city.
It is a recreational park named after a former governor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Lar.
Jos Zoo is located in Jos city, beside the museum. It has a good stock of animals, birds and reptiles and was established in 1957.
Assop Falls is perhaps, the most notable of Nigeria’s many waterfalls. Located at the edge of the Jos Plateau, about 40 miles (64 km) from Jos city, on the road to Abuja, this is a tourist stop for picnicking, swimming and enjoying the scenery. Assop Falls is also used as a filming location for local soap operas and advertisements.
Kurra Falls is an area some 77 kilometers southeast of Jos. It is the location of the state’s first hydroelectric power station. It is a beautiful area of rocks hills, and lakes, ideal for boating, camping, and rock climbing. There is tourist accommodation available.
Wase Rock The wase rock is a striking dome-shaped inselberg which juts out of the ground to a height of 450 meters. It is located about 216 kilometers southeast of Jos near Wase town. It is one of the only five breeding places for the white pelican in Africa. Because of this, the government now protects about 321 acres (1.30 km2) of land around the rock as a bird sanctuary and for wildlife development.

Kerang Highlands
The Kerang highlands are located about 88 kilometres from Jos. These volcanic hills are the source of natural mountain springs, which supply the spring water company (SWAN).
The Shere Hills include some of the Plateau’s highest peaks. They are a range of hills to the east of Jos which have views of the city below, and attract mountain climbers and hill walkers.
Riyom Rock is a rock formation, located 25 kilometers southwest of Jos, near Riyom town.
Pandam Game Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary. It is a protected region of natural habitat and is home to hippopotami, crocodiles, and snakes of all types. Local park rangers track local game on foot and guide people to the best viewing areas. This area is still virtually unspoiled by human contact. It offers sports fishing facilities and tourist accommodation is available.
Kahwang Rock Formation is a set of basalt rocks, located in Bangai village of Bachi District in Riyom Local Government of the state, the Kahwang rocks have received tourists from different parts of the state, the country at large and on occasions, from outside Nigeria, who visit the site to see for themselves the wonders of nature. This site is however, still awaiting the attention of the Plateau State Tourism Corporation to meet modern standards and to serve as another source of revenue generation to the state.
Miango Rest House is a retreat and conference center located in Miango established by missionaries (SIM Nigeria) in 1914. It is located next to Kent Academy, a non-denominational missionary school. The Rest House provides visitors with plenty of opportunities to hike in the surrounding area. The property also features a man-made dam, a farm and is located at the foot of small hill (Mt. Sanderson) that provides a beautiful view of the area.

Notable People

M.I Abaga – (born 1981), hip hop recording artist and record producer
Domkat Bali
Solomon Dalung – (born 1964), politician, lawyer and academic
Joshua Chibi Dariye – (born 1957), former Governor of Plateau State
Joseph Nanven Garba – (1943-2001), general, diplomat, and politician who served as president of the United Nations General Assembly
Yakubu Gowon – (born 1934), Nigerian army general, former military leader and Head of State of Nigeria
Joseph Gomwalk – (1935-1976), police commissioner and first Military Governor of Benue-Plateau State
Jeremiah Gyang – (born 1981), singer-songwriter, instrumentalist and record producer.
Ruby Gyang
Jesse Jagz
Jonah David Jang
Simon Bako Lalong
Solomon Lar
Rimini Makama: Nigerian lawyer, entrepreneur, and the Communications Director at Africa Practice
Mikel John Obi
Panam Percy Paul
Ice Prince
Sim Shagaya
P-Square
John Nanzip Shagaya
Pauline Tallen
Jeremiah Useni:He was the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(1993-1998).
Ahmed Idris Wase
Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase
Gagdi Adamu Yusuf

Languages

he state has over forty ethno-linguistic groups. Some of the indigenous ethnic groups in the state are the Berom, Afizere, Amo, Anaguta, Aten, Bijim, Bogghom, Buji, Jipal, Mhiship, Irchip, Fier, Gashish, Goemai, Irigwe, Jarawa, Jukun, Kadung, Kofyar (comprising Doemak, Kwalla, and Mernyang), Montol [fr], Mushere, Mupun, Mwaghavul [fr], Ngas, Piapung, Pyem, Ron-Kulere, Bache, Talet, Tarok, and Youm. These ethnic groups are predominantly farmers and have similar cultural and traditional ways of life. People from other parts of country have come to settle in Plateau State; these include the Hausa, Tiv, Idoma, Igbo, Yoruba, Ibibio, Annang, Efik, Ijaw, and Bini.

Institutions

Tertiary institutions in Plateau state include:

College of Education, Gindiri
Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom
Federal College of Education, Pankshin
Plateau State Polytechnic
Plateau State University
University of Jos
ANAN University, Kwall
Federal College of Forestry, Jos
Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Kuru Jos
Karl-Kumm University, Vom
NTA TV College, Jos
Plateau State College of Agriculture, Garkawa