The Martha Story
“Please don’t go to Plateau State. It’s not safe there.”
That was the warning Martha heard from nearly everyone when she mentioned her plans to move to Jos from Abuja. The first few weeks were the hardest. Her phone never stopped ringing. Friends called daily, asking if she was indoors, if she could hear gunshots, if it was true that people were being killed every day.
Each time the news reported a disturbance, the calls came again, even though Martha lived miles away in the quiet, peaceful city of Jos. To many of them, Plateau State was one large, restless city in northern Nigeria; danger in one corner meant chaos everywhere.
But the truth is, Plateau’s biggest problem today isn’t insecurity, but, the perception of insecurity. And that perception, repeated like a warning on loop, is what keeps visitors, investors, and even former residents from seeing the reality: that life on the Plateau is calm, beautiful, and safer than many of the cities Nigerians flee to in search of “safety.”
Perception vs. Reality
For years, Plateau State has carried a reputation it no longer deserves. Say “Plateau” in a room full of Nigerians, and someone will gasp, “Ah! It’s not safe there!” Yet, those who actually live in Jos know a quieter truth; one that never makes the evening news.
In reality, most of Plateau is calm. Life moves with the rhythm of school bells, market chatter, and church choirs. On weekends, families picnic at Lamingo Dam, where laughter drifts across the water and children chase kites against the orange sunset. In the evenings, friends gather at Rayfield, where cafés, lounges, and small bars come alive with music, light, and the scent of grilled suya.
From Suya Stalls to West of Mines
But it doesn’t end there. When the city begins to wind down, Old Airport Junction winds up with suya smoke curling into the night air and vendors fanning their grills like orchestra conductors. Everyone knows the best time to buy suya is late at night. And if Jos were truly unsafe, no one would risk stepping out for that midnight delicacy. Yet, every night, people do, happily.
Then there’s West of Mines: Jos’ unofficial capital of nightlife. Visit during the day, and you’ll wonder what the fuss is about. But wait till nightfall, and it’s like a different world unfolds: a whole civilization of fish lovers and barbecue enthusiasts lighting up the street with conversation, laughter, and the glow of coal fires. It’s here that you see the Plateau that headlines never show—vibrant, peaceful, and unafraid.
Everyday Life in Jos
“I’ve lived in Jos all my life,” said Chinedu, a graphic designer whose family has called Plateau home for five generations. “My great-great-grandfather settled here when tin mining was booming, and we’ve never had a reason to leave. Do we hear about tension sometimes? Yes. But, personally, the biggest thing I’ve ever had to run from is the rain.”
He laughed softly before adding, “If it were truly unsafe, my family wouldn’t have stayed this long. We’ve buried elders, raised children, started businesses, all here. Plateau isn’t just home, it’s become a part of my history.”
And that’s not just exaggeration. Data from the Nigeria Security Tracker shows that while Plateau has recorded isolated incidents in specific local councils, most of the state remains peaceful; safer, in fact, than many parts of Northern Nigeria where attacks are more frequent. But those parts rarely make the headlines the same way Plateau does.
“When people hear ‘Plateau,’ they imagine one big battlefield,” said Nandi, a teacher in Bukuru. “But the truth is, we’ve been teaching, farming, and raising children here for years. Our lives don’t stop when the news cameras leave.”
When Fear Travels Faster Than Facts
Consequently, sometimes, the perception gets so exaggerated, it borders on comedy. Once, a visitor to Jos heard a sudden shout in the street. A group of teenagers had burst out laughing after a prank went wrong. But to him, it sounded like a cry of panic. Without thinking, he started running. A few seconds later, others saw him running and, out of instinct, they ran too. Within minutes, half the street was sprinting toward the roundabout, all because of a laughter that echoed too loud.
“We still laugh about it till today,” said Chuwang, a shop owner who witnessed the humorous scene and shared the story. “Fear spreads faster than facts.”
And that’s the truth about Plateau’s story. Fear has traveled faster than facts.
Beacons of Stability
While this may be so, the truth is never hidden for long. And on the Plateau, few things embody that quiet truth better than the steady hum behind NASCO’s factory gates.
Since 1963, the company has called Jos home, through gruesome headlines and hushed rumors alike. Workers still clock in at dawn, trucks still roll out at dusk, and families still build their lives around that familiar rhythm. It’s a rhythm that whispers what no press release can declare; that beneath the noise, life here is remarkably steady. If Jos were as troubled as the stories suggest, would this heartbeat still sound so sure?
Investments on the Rise
That spirit of quiet resilience has only deepened with time. In recent years, businesses like Crispan Hotel have risen with the same confidence that kept NASCO’s wheels turning. Since opening its doors in 2021, Crispan has become a symbol of hospitality done right—hosting weddings, conferences, and visitors from across Nigeria. Its success is more than a business story; it’s a reflection of trust. In a place often misjudged by headlines, Crispan stands as proof that people still come to Jos; not cautiously, but joyfully.
Beyond the city skyline, Plateau’s strength extends into its fields. The Sujimoto Rice Farm Estate, spread across 30,000 hectares, is a bold expression of that potential. It is a partnership between vision and fertile ground, with CV modern agriculture meeting timeless soil, proof that Plateau’s economy can grow on its own terms. Investors are not just watching; they are building.
Pageants, Games, and Global Spotlights
And the world has begun to notice. This October, Jos will welcome 50 delegates from across Africa for the 4th Miss & Mister Tourism Africa International pageant: a continental celebration of culture, beauty, and creativity. Fully backed by the Plateau State Government, the event is aptly themed “Africa Is Coming to Jos,” with the goal of showcasing the state’s charm and stability, positioning Plateau as a growing hub for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
Barely weeks after the pageant, Plateau State will again open its arms to the nation as the University of Jos is set to host the 27th Nigerian University Games (NUGA 2025) from November 5 to 16. This pacesetting event will bring together over 80 universities and an estimated 9,000 athletes, officials, and spectators. The state government has committed extensive logistical and security preparations to ensure a world-class, incident-free experience.
For a state once written off by rumor, Plateau is quietly rewriting its own story in numbers, confidence, and in the growing hum of commerce.
Unprecedented Proof
In 2024, Plateau State broke a major milestone, generating ₦31.14 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR); a remarkable rise from ₦25.8 billion in 2023 and ₦15.9 billion in 2022. That’s not just growth; it’s momentum. It signals a state whose economy is finding its rhythm again, powered by citizens who never stopped believing in their land.
Agriculture remains the heartbeat — and not just at the subsistence level anymore. Plateau’s cool weather and fertile soil make it one of Nigeria’s richest grounds for maize, potatoes, rice, fruits, vegetables, and acha (hungry rice). The government’s recent agro-cluster initiative is linking thousands of farmers to markets, while irrigation mapping and fertilizer subsidies are helping Plateau reclaim its title as the nation’s food basket in waiting.
But the opportunity doesn’t end at the farm. Horticulture and floriculture are quietly blooming into export markets as well. Concurrently, the state is working to revive trade routes and certifications for global flower and fruit exports. Add to that the emerging hospitality and tourism sector powered by hotels like Crispan and events like Miss & Mister Tourism Africa International and you begin to see the new Plateau rising.
Opportunity Meets Convenience
To make it even easier, the government has set up a One-Stop Investment Centre (OSIC) in Jos. Instead of running from one ministry to another, investors can now get licenses, permits, and guidance, all in one place. Plus, tax incentives and investment allowances for plant and machinery; making entry smoother for businesses in key sectors.
More than ever before, Plateau is working! Over 40 new medium-sized enterprises have registered through the OSIC in the last two years, spanning hospitality, agritech, and light manufacturing. These are not rescue projects; they are fresh bets on Plateau’s future. Because, truly, Plateau is not only peaceful. She is promising.
The Ball in your Court
While the world still sits at the edge of its seat whenever it hears “Plateau State,” the Plateau herself is sitting at the edge of her seat with excitement; ready to rise, ready to host, and ready for business.
So perhaps it’s time we retired the old story and told the truer one: that Plateau is not a risk, but a reward waiting to be claimed. Her streets hum with commerce, her fields promise yield, and her skyline is raising one confident brick at a time. The smart ones are already setting up shop while the rest are still Googling “Is Plateau safe?” Spoiler alert: it is and it is profitable. Because when the rush finally begins, you’ll wish you had come when the air was this clear and the ground this open. Plateau isn’t just open for business; she’s open for brilliance. The question now is: will you get here early, or read about those who did?