Mutfwang’s two years: Transforming Plateau with vision, action, impact

When Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang was sworn in as Governor of Plateau State on 29th May, 2023, he inherited more than a troubled economy. He stepped into an atmosphere of distrust, insecurity, institutional dysfunction, and deep seated public disappointment. Two years on, he stands to address a state visibly emerging from years of stagnation and insecurity into a season of renewal and cautious hope.

The early days of his tenure were marked by legal uncertainties. His election victory faced protracted legal distractions that many feared could derail the fresh mandate Plateau voters had given him. But Mutfwang stayed the course, consolidating his leadership and setting a tone of seriousness and focus.

These initial challenges were compounded by incessant attacks on rural communities, dilapidated infrastructure, a demoralized civil service, and a broken economy. Insecurity and displacement plagued many local government areas, and trust in government institutions was at an all time low.

Yet, in his second anniversary broadcast, Governor Mutfwang emphasized that his administration did not falter. “We kept faith. We stayed the course,” he declared, describing the present as “the beginning of the Plateau of our dream”.

One of the cornerstone achievements of the Mutfwang administration has been in security sector reforms. Operation Rainbow was revitalized for grassroots intelligence gathering, while a state-of-the-art Plateau State Activity Centre was established for surveillance and coordination.

An emergency communication center, complete with a toll-free line, was launched to ensure a rapid response in emergencies. These steps, he said, have helped security agencies better manage crisis situations, especially in rural flashpoints.

In the civil service, long-standing salary arrears four and a half months were cleared. Salaries are now paid regularly, promotions have resumed, and training initiatives are back. Most symbolically, government offices were reconnected to electricity, symbolizing a return to administrative functionality.

“Our workers are regaining their pride. We’ve restored dignity and hope in the Plateau workforce,” Mutfwang said in the broadcast.

Perhaps the most visible and people centered initiative has been the Team City Metro Transport Service, transforming urban mobility in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis. With an estimated 9,000 passengers served daily, the service provides significant economic relief through a monthly transport subsidy valued at ₦39,000 per passenger.

Recently, the transport fleet was expanded to 30 buses with the acquisition of 15 brand-new units. Intercity travel is also receiving attention with the purchase of Toyota Coaster vehicles and scheduled routes to Abuja and other key destinations.

Air and rail travel are also being revived. A Memorandum of Understanding with Value Jet Airlines will enable commercial flights between Jos, Abuja, and Lagos. Furthermore, the Nigerian Railway Corporation has partnered with the state to revive rail services an important cushion against rising fuel prices.

In agriculture, one of the state’s most vital sectors, over 900 hectares of land belonging to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been recovered and returned to productive use. Fertilizers and farm inputs worth ₦16 billion have been distributed.

Youths are also being trained through a partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), focusing on agribusiness and modern agricultural techniques to strengthen the value chain.

The Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP) is undergoing transformation into the Plateau Agribusiness Development Agency, with subsidized tractors already provided through the ACReSAL project. This signals a bold shift towards mechanized farming.

To resolve the persistent clashes between farmers and herders, the administration created the Ministry of Livestock Development, Veterinary Services and Fisheries. The long-neglected Wase Grazing Reserve is being revived under a controlled grazing model with specialized cattle that do not require migration.

On infrastructure, the state has embarked on an ambitious road development campaign. About 111 kilometers of urban roads have been rehabilitated, and over 3,000 kilometers of abandoned road projects are now under active construction.

Urban renewal efforts are further bolstered by 66.4 kilometers of new roads under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Rural areas haven’t been left behind, with 380 kilometers of farm-to-market roads underway through the RAMP project, and 26.7 kilometers nearing completion under the NG-CARES platform.

Education reform has not lagged behind. Plateau indigenes in state-owned tertiary institutions now enjoy a 50% tuition reduction, and scholarship funding has increased by 300%. Enrollment at Plateau Polytechnic has grown from 3,000 to 8,000 students.

The College of Education, Gindiri, has been upgraded to a degree-awarding institution. Over 148 classrooms have been constructed or renovated, and boreholes installed across all 17 LGAs to enhance learning conditions.

Healthcare has seen significant investment. The Plateau Specialist Hospital now boasts a fully equipped laboratory complex and a new cohort of consultants, with equipment valued at ₦2 billion.

The newly operational Drugs and Medical Commodities Agency ensures the availability of affordable and quality medications. General hospitals have received ultrasound and X-ray machines, while healthcare enrollment has increased from 93,605 in May 2023 to 208,550 by March 2025.

In response to years of water neglect, the administration has launched major projects, including a ₦30 billion contract for the Langtang North Water Project, along with several isolated water schemes and solar-powered boreholes across the state.

Environmentally, the government declared a state of emergency on sanitation. Monthly clean-up exercises personally supervised by the governor have improved street cleanliness and city hygiene, reviving Plateau’s once proud reputation for cleanliness.

The Jos Wildlife Park is being overhauled, while the Plateau and Hill Station Hotels are undergoing revival. Support for cultural festivals aims to restore Plateau’s image as a land of peace, culture, and tourism.

All these achievements, the governor emphasized, stem from prudent financial management. Despite more funds coming from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), their actual value in dollars has declined. “Yet, we’ve achieved more with less,” he said.

From insecurity and uncertainty to visible transformation and renewed hope, Mutfwang’s two years in office have been a story of determined recovery, with Plateau State now finding its rhythm and its voice again.

Residents praise Mutfwang’s two years of remarkable achievements

Residents of Plateau State have commended Governor Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang for what many describe as an impactful and transformative two years in office. From security to infrastructure, agriculture to healthcare, citizens across the state say the governor’s leadership has rekindled hope and restored confidence in government.

In Jos and Bukuru metropolis, the introduction of the Team City Metro Transport Service has drawn applause from daily commuters. “Before now, transportation was a huge burden, especially for low-income earners like me. But the subsidised buses have made it easier to move around. Governor Mutfwang really thought of the masses”; said Mary Adam, a school teacher.

Rural dwellers have also voiced appreciation for renewed security efforts and road rehabilitation. Communities that once lived in fear now report improved response times due to the revitalized Operation Rainbow and newly established emergency response centers. “We now sleep better knowing that help is just a phone call away,” said Daniel Pwajok, a farmer in Bokkos.

Civil servants in the state are equally vocal about the positive changes. Many said the prompt salary payments, cleared arrears, and restored promotions have boosted morale. “I had lost hope, but today I feel proud to be a public servant again,” said Vick Pam, an administrative officer in the Plateau state civil service.

In the agricultural sector, young farmers trained through government partnerships have begun to see results. “Thanks to the governor, I now run a small agro-processing business. This government is giving us the tools to succeed, not just handouts”; Said James, a young farmer from Mangu local government.

Health and education improvements are also drawing praise. “Our local clinic now has ultrasound machines, and our children study in newly renovated classrooms,” said Hadiza Audu, a mother of four in Jos North.

Overall, many Plateau residents say they are optimistic about the state’s future under Mutfwang’s leadership.