In a strategic move to drive inclusive and sustainable development, the Plateau State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen institutional capacity, attract investment, and accelerate development across critical sectors of the state’s economy.
The MoU was signed on Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Old Government House, Jos, between Plateau State Governor, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, and the UNDP, in the presence of members of the Plateau State Executive Council, development partners, private sector stakeholders, and the media.
Speaking at the event, Governor Mutfwang described the partnership as a deliberate and structured approach to repositioning Plateau State for sustainable development driven by data, sound policies, and effective planning. He emphasized that while Plateau is richly endowed with natural and human resources, these potentials must be properly packaged to become attractive to investors.
The Governor noted that key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, livestock, health, and information and communication technology (ICT) have suffered from years of uncoordinated planning, stressing that the state can no longer afford haphazard governance if it is to compete favorably for national and global investments.
He disclosed that the Plateau State Government would commit an estimated ₦10 billion to the partnership, adding that UNDP’s global credibility and technical expertise would help unlock additional international development financing far beyond the state’s direct contribution.
According to Governor Mutfwang, the administration’s priority is to build strong and resilient institutions, enhance agricultural productivity, create meaningful opportunities for young people, and deliver a functional and responsive health system.
In her remarks, the UNDP Country Director, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, described the MoU as a strategic shift from traditional aid to a co-investment model that integrates Plateau State into UNDP’s Integrated Smart and Sustainable Programme (ISSP).
She explained that the partnership is designed to move beyond isolated projects towards a “whole-of-state” development architecture that translates political priorities into investment-ready portfolios. By leveraging state resources as anchor capital, the initiative aims to attract private investors and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to systematically unlock Plateau State’s potential in agriculture, tourism, solid minerals, and digital transformation.
Ms. Attafuah further disclosed that UNDP would deploy a dedicated core team of professionals to Jos by January 2026 to finalize a Joint Action Plan and align development priorities with budget commitments. She said the collaboration would support implementation in critical areas including agriculture, youth development, digital transformation, tourism planning, sustainable energy, and investment promotion.
She stressed that the strategy focuses on systemic activation, particularly targeting youth enterprise through the establishment of a “maker space,” sustainable energy solutions, and strengthened data systems for results-based execution. This approach, she noted, positions Plateau State alongside other reform-forward subnational governments in Nigeria, with a focus on job creation, inclusive growth, and long-term economic resilience.
