Gyang Bere
In the heart of Nigeria’s picturesque Plateau State stands the city of Jos—a city that has over the decades, served as a crucible of political thought, national dialogue, and democratic evolution. It was there that ideas were debated, leadership was nurtured, and statesmen of integrity emerged to shape the course of the nation’s democratic journey.
Three years ago, a charismatic leader emerged, not just with a heart of purposeful service, but with a vision fueled my servant leadership, transparency, and unwavering commitment to the people he serves. Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang assumed office with a profound sense of responsibility, armed not only with a strategic blueprint but with a blend of selflessness, character, capacity, above all the fear of God.
As the nation commemorate the 2026 Democracy Day, it is fitting to reflect on the leadership prowes of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who has translated democratic ideals into tangible development, spreading across rural communities in the three Senatorial Districts of the state. That has, over the past three years, demonstrated that purposeful governance can restore hope, rebuild institutions, and unite a people around a common vision.
This did not come without daunting challenges, as Plateau State, weary from years of political disappointment, economic hardship, and inherited insecurity that tested his leadership acumen. Governor Mutfwang emergence in 2023 followed a keenly contested election, one that was further tested by one year of legal distractions, aimed at undermining the mandate freely and overwhelmingly given to him by the people.
Graciously, he remained firm, focused and undeterred. Propelled by the mantra of “The Time Is Now”, he chose not to dwell on blame game, but roll up his sleeves and confronted Plateau’s most dreaded challenges, beginning with insecurity. He revitalized community policing, reactivated the security outfits “Operation Rainbow”, trained over 2, 000 personnel, launched a modern surveillance command centre with security technology to restore safety across the state. IDPs camps that had long been symbols of despair became places of targeted intervention as his administration welfare and long term resettlement solutions in collaboration with Eden Initiative for Humanitarian Support.
In the civil service, hope returned and the people chose to trust again. Long months of unpaid wages gave way to prompt payments, backlog of salaries cleared, and morale- boosting promotions. Where workers once protested, they now participate actively in policy draft and governance. Governor Mutfwang restored dignity to labour, and rebuild trust with the work force, trust that, once lost now earned him workers friendly Governor.
The Story of public transportation in Plateau State has been that of transformation. The government introduced a flagship Tin City Metro transport service with 30 brand-new buses that has accelerated urban mobility within Jos Bukuru Metropolis. The initiative has created jobs, ease the burden of transportation by subsidizing transport cost for over 10,000 perssengers daily translating to savings of approximately N50,000 per person monthly. Inter-state travel has been revived with procurement of additional vehicles while several others were refurbished to ply Jos-Abuja route.
On Agriculture, “The Time Is Now” is more than a slogan, it’s a call to action. Over 1,600 hectares of farmland previously abandoned due to insecurity has been recovered. The administration distributed subsidized fertilizers worth over N20 billion, procured improved seedlings and agrochemicals worth N4 billion and invested N2 billion in Mechanization from 2023 to date.
Road infrastructure is the bedrock of economic development. Plateau has seen one of its most ambitious development drives in recent history. Every journey begins with a single step. Across the vast and beautiful landscape of Plateau State, massive road projects are ongoing to connect communities, boost commerce, and promote tourism. More than 500 kilometers of roads have asphalted so far, while 2, 000 kilometers are expected to be completed within the next few months alongside more than 70 road projects being executed by various government agencies.
Key roads projects completed with some ongoing include Utonkon-Nunku-Keana road with the fly-over bridge; Daisy Lang-Zaramaganda road, Maternity-Moonshine hotel-Chobe road, Building Materials Open-University road; Maternity-Masalacin Juma’a and Zololo Junction road. Farin-Gada road, Reconstructed terminus road; Rukuba-Miango -Farin Lamba road; Mil-Jokkat-Abok-Dung-Lankan road; Fobur -Federe-Nagware road among several others across the state.
Governo Mutfwang’s impact on education, preparing minds for the future has been significant. Government reduced tuition fee by 50 percent for Plateau State indigenes in state-owned tertiary institutions and increased scholarship funding by 300 percent. Accreditation of academic courses in state-owned institutions received prompt attention alongside introduction of new faculties and programmes. Through State Universal Basic Education, over 397 classrooms have been constructed, 557 renovated and furniture supplied to schools. Under the Mutfwang Legacy Scholarship scheme, 200 students are currently studying in India while others are in the United States of America and other countries.
The health sector has witnessed remarkable transformation. The Plateau Specialist Hospital has been upgraded with Modern laboratory equipment worth N2 billion, 22 highly qualified consultants and five physiotherapists have been recruited. Additionally, Ultrasound Machines have been supplied to 17 General Hospitals while affordable drugs have been supplied to government-owned hospitals to combat circulation of counterfeit drugs. Through the Mutfwang-Care Initiative, health insurance coverage has increased from 93, 605 beneficiaries in 2023 to 319, 429 beneficiaries in May 2026. 82 Primary Health Care Centers have been renovated and through IMPACT Project and provided with solar power.
Plateau’s once-dominant tourism potentials is being revived. The Jos Wildlife Park has been secured with a 17 kilometers perimeter fence, upgraded the Mado Tourist Village, and Rehabilitated the Solomon Lar Amusement Park. The remodeling of Plateau and Hill Station Hotels has reached and advanced stage, with some of the rooms now ready for use. The Urban Renewal Agenda have pave way for the construction of over 200 lock-up shops in Bukuru to support Small-scale traders.
Water is life, government has continued to revive long-neglected Water projects. The N30 billion water project awarded in Langtang North Local Government Area is progressing steadily while Langtang North water scheme has been revamped and is currently serving the population. The Yelwa club Treatment Plant and the installation of a 25 kilometers pipeline have been completed and commissioned in Jos Jos South. Government is upgrading and constructing isolated water infrastructure across various local Governments with the Mado community water scheme awaiting commissioning.
In the energy sector, the administration has begun a partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency and private investigators to scale up mini-grid deployment and implement the E-HEART Programme electrification project across 25 communities. Solar Mini-grid in Namu, Bakin Ciyawa, Kwande and Kwa communities in Quan Pan Local Government Area are evidence of government’s commitment to the partnership. Government procured and distributed 70 electric transformers to various communities to stimulate economic growth and improve livelihood. Many communities have been lit up with solar streets lights within the Jos greater Master Plan.
One of the most enduring legacy of the past three years is the emphasis on unity, inclusion, and shared prosperity. Governor Mutfwang has consistently called on citizens to rise above ethnic, religious, and political differences in pursuit of a common destiny. His administration’s development projects have been implemented across communities without discrimination, reinforcing the principle that government exists to serve all people equally.
Three years ago, Plateau trusted again. And three years on, that trust has not been broken. As Nigeria celebrates Democracy Day, the State offers a powerful example of what focused leadership, inclusive governance, and collective determination can achieve.
While challenges remain, the trajectory is clear: Plateau is steadily reclaiming its place as a beacon of peace, opportunity, and progress. Democracy is ultimately measured not by promises made, but by lives transformed—and on that score, the Mutfwang administration has provided citizens with reasons to look to the future with renewed hope and confidence.
*Dr. Gyang Bere, is the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State
