🇳🇬 Plateau State • Current Affairs • 2026

Plateau State Current Affairs 2026

Civic dashboard — current governor, budget, population, senators, civil service salary, and key facts for Plateau State.

Current Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang PDP · Since 2023
2026 Budget ₦817.5 billion Total approved
Population (est.) 5,741,107 2026 estimate
Min Wage ₦70,000/mo Civil service floor
Annual IGR ₦31.1 billion Internally generated
LGAs 17 Local govt. areas
Area 26,899 km² North Central Zone

Current Governor of Plateau State

PDP

Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang

Party PDP
In office since May 29, 2023
Term ends May 2027
Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo
Speaker, State Assembly Naanlong Gapyil Daniel
Chief Judge Justice David Mann
Governor salary ₦1,751,025/month
Key flagship projects:
🏗️ Plateau State Potato Value Chain Project — tissue culture laboratory, potato processing facilities, farmer training and mechanised agriculture infrastructure in Mangu, with supporting value-chain investments across Plateau
🏗️ Dokan Tofa–Ba’ap–Kurqwi Road Project — 61.55-kilometre road development in Qua’an Pan, including connecting routes intended to improve rural mobility, agriculture and movement of goods
🏗️ Akwanga–Jos Road Dualisation — strategic push for the dualisation of the major federal gateway connecting Plateau State with Nasarawa and the wider North Central region

Plateau State Budget & Finance 2026

Total Budget ₦817.5 billion 2026 approved
Capital Expenditure ₦573.5 billion 70.1% of budget
Recurrent Expenditure ₦341.4 billion 41.8% of budget
Annual IGR ₦31.1 billion Internally Generated Revenue
FAAC Allocation (est.) ₦18.3 billion/month Federation Account share
Total Debt Stock ₦67.5 billion All obligations

Plateau State Population 2026

Population (2026 est.) 5,741,107 Projected from 2006 NPC census
Land area 26,899 km²
Population density 156.1 /km²
State capital Jos
LGAs 17

Senators Representing Plateau State (10th Assembly)

D
Diket Satso Plang Plateau Central APC
P
Pam Mwadkwon Dachungyang Plateau North ADP
S
Simon Bako Lalong Plateau South APC

Plateau State also has 8 members in the House of Representatives.

Plateau State Civil Service Salary 2026

Minimum wage ₦70,000/month Effective Nov 2024
GL8 graduate entry ₦145,000–160,000 monthly basic
Teacher entry (GL7–8) ₦122,000–135,000 monthly basic
GL17 Director (top) ₦350,000/month maximum step

Current Issues — Plateau State 2026

Plateau State in 2026 is balancing major infrastructure and economic development ambitions with continuing security concerns in parts of the state. Governor Caleb Mutfwang's administration has placed peace, security and good governance at the centre of its agenda while also directing substantial resources toward infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, youth development and economic diversification.

The state's 2026 budget of ₦817.51 billion places a strong emphasis on capital development. Major priorities include road infrastructure, agriculture, security, human capital development and economic expansion. The government's development programme also seeks to reduce dependence on federal allocations by expanding internally generated revenue and attracting private-sector investment into agriculture, mining, tourism, manufacturing and other productive sectors.

Agriculture remains one of Plateau's most important economic opportunities. The state government has intensified support for potato production and agro-processing, including the Plateau State Potato Value Chain Project in Mangu. The project includes a tissue culture laboratory, processing facilities, farmer training infrastructure and agricultural equipment, while associated interventions include rural roads, storage facilities, water infrastructure and processing plants.

Infrastructure development is another major focus. The administration is pursuing state road projects, including the 61.55-kilometre Dokan Tofa–Ba’ap–Kurqwi corridor and associated roads in Qua’an Pan. The government has also continued to advocate for the dualisation of the Akwanga–Jos Road, which is strategically important for commerce, transport, tourism and regional connectivity.

Security remains a major governance issue. Parts of Plateau have experienced recurring communal violence, attacks and displacement, making peacebuilding, protection of communities and cooperation with security agencies important priorities. The Plateau State House of Assembly has also expressed support for legislative measures relating to state policing as part of wider efforts to strengthen security.

Revenue generation has improved in recent years. Plateau recorded approximately ₦31.14 billion in IGR in 2024, up from about ₦25.84 billion in 2023. The state is continuing to expand its tax base and improve revenue collection through the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service while seeking to strengthen the role of agriculture, mining, tourism and private investment in the state economy.

Plateau also continues to deal with the social and economic effects of inflation, high transportation costs, unemployment and pressure on public services. With an estimated population of about 4.2 million people in 2026, continued investment in education, healthcare, roads, water, agriculture, housing and employment opportunities remains important to the state's long-term development.

Key Facts — Plateau State

  • Plateau State was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Benue-Plateau State.
  • Jos is the capital of Plateau State and the principal urban and commercial centre.
  • Plateau State is located in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone.
  • Plateau State has 17 Local Government Areas.
  • Plateau State has a 2026 population projection of approximately 4,200,442 according to the NBS population forecast series.
  • Plateau State has a land area of approximately 30,913 square kilometres in commonly used national geographic datasets.

Notable People from Plateau State

S
Solomon Daushep Lar First elected Governor of Plateau State and prominent Nigerian politician who later served as national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.
J
Joshua Chibi Dariye Former Governor of Plateau State and former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
J
Jonah David Jang Former Governor of Plateau State from 2007 to 2015 and former military officer.
S
Simon Bako Lalong Former Governor of Plateau State and former Minister of Labour and Employment.
C
Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang Governor of Plateau State since May 2023.
D
Darius Ishaku Architect, politician and former Governor of Taraba State with roots in the wider Plateau region.
D
Dipo Adeusi Notable Nigerian medical professional associated with the University of Jos and medical education.
I
Ibrahim Jibril Nigerian academic and education professional associated with the University of Jos.

All notable people from Plateau State →

Frequently Asked Questions — Plateau State

Who is the current governor of Plateau State?

Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of the PDP is the current Governor of Plateau State. He took office on May 29, 2023. His term runs until May 2027. The Deputy Governor is Josephine Piyo.

What is the Plateau State budget for 2026?

The Plateau State approved budget for 2026 is ₦817.5 billion, with capital expenditure of ₦573.5 billion and recurrent expenditure of ₦341.4 billion. Plateau State generated ₦31.1 billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

What is the population of Plateau State?

The estimated population of Plateau State is 5,741,107 as of 2026. Population density is 156.1 people per km². These are estimates based on 2006 census figures with projected annual growth rates.

Who are the senators representing Plateau State?

The senators representing Plateau State in the 10th National Assembly are: Diket Satso Plang (Plateau Central, APC); Pam Mwadkwon Dachungyang (Plateau North, ADP); Simon Bako Lalong (Plateau South, APC).

What is the minimum wage in Plateau State?

The current minimum wage in Plateau State is ₦70,000/month, effective November 2024. This follows the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. Civil servants at GL8 (graduate entry) earn ₦145,000–₦160,000/month in basic salary. See the Plateau State Salary Guide for the full grade level breakdown.

How many LGAs does Plateau State have?

Plateau State has 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs). They include: Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos, Jos East, Jos North and more. Each LGA is headed by an elected chairman and councillors. See the full LGA list.