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Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State has unveiled plans to connect skilled youths in the state to global technology-driven job opportunities as part of his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and economic development.
The governor disclosed this while declaring open the Plateau State Science, Technology and Innovation Festival (PLASSTIFEST) held at the Crispan Hotel and Events Centre in Jos. The festival was themed, “Re-imagining Plateau: Driving Innovation and Technology for a Smarter and Sustainable Future.”
Mutfwang said his administration had already put in place the necessary framework to deploy qualified and talented youths into international job outsourcing opportunities. According to him, hundreds of young people have already undergone screening as part of the initiative.
He explained that the programme is aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities for Plateau youths while positioning the state as a hub for innovation and technological advancement.
The governor recalled that his administration declared 2025 as the “Year of Technology Advancement” in Plateau State to encourage innovation and inspire young people to use technology in solving societal challenges.
He commended the resilience and creativity of Plateau youths, noting that many of them continue to develop solutions to pressing problems despite limited resources and opportunities.
Mutfwang also highlighted the government’s efforts to support local innovators, citing the example of a young inventor from Bokkos Local Government Area who designed and built a prototype vehicle.
According to the governor, the young innovator has been awarded a contract to produce 200 hand tillers as part of the state’s drive to modernize agriculture and make farming more attractive to young people.
“This young man from Bokkos has demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation. We have engaged him to produce 200 hand tillers, which we are going to test on our farms this year,” the governor said.
He added that the hand tillers would significantly improve agricultural productivity and reduce the burden of manual farming in rural communities.
The governor stressed that supporting innovation-driven solutions remains central to his administration’s strategy for economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Rochukwu Udeh, SAN, commended the Plateau State Government for organizing the festival and encouraged the state to sustain the initiative.
The minister said science, technology, and innovation are critical to economic diversification, industrialization, and job creation, adding that the Federal Government is committed to strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy and research ecosystem.
He further disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is targeting a $1 trillion economy by 2030 through innovation-driven growth, industrialization, and value addition.
A major highlight of the festival was the demonstration of a robot designed and constructed by Plateau youths, showcasing the growing technological capacity and innovative potential of young people in the state.
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