————–Plateau Marks World Science Day With Innovation, Energy, And Historic Investment In Tomorrow’s Thinkers.
By, giwa alex, Jos

The city of Jos shimmered with excitement on Monday, November 10, 2025, as the Plateau State Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation led the commemoration of the World Science Day for Peace and Development , a day that did not just celebrate global innovation, but reflected the extraordinary transformation unfolding under Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s leadership.
With this year’s theme, “Trust Transformation In Tomorrow : The Science We Need for the Future,” the event captured the essence of a new Plateau , one where science, technology, and creativity are not mere policies but the heartbeat of governance and progress.
Since assuming office, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has championed a renaissance in science and technology, believing that sustainable growth depends on innovation and knowledge.
His administration’s strategic focus on education, digital transformation, and youth empowerment has positioned Plateau as a rising innovation hub in Nigeria.

From revamping the Plateau Science and Technology Policy (2005) to empowering agencies like the Plateau Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (PICTDA) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Governor Mutfwang has ensured that science becomes a tool of peace, productivity, and prosperity.
His vision was brought to life in this year’s celebration , a spectacular blend of movement, message, and meaning.
The day began with a vibrant Science Roadshow, led by the Honourable Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Cletus Bako Shurkuk, who represented the Governor at the event.
From Old Airport Junction through Secretariat Roundabout to the NUJ Press Centre, the city vibrated with sirens, music, and chants as students, officials, and tech enthusiasts carried placards bearing slogans such as “Science for Peace” and “Innovation for Progress.”
It was not just a parade , it was a declaration that Plateau State is ready to use science and innovation to drive its destiny.

At the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Dr. Shurkuk addressed the press, outlining the scientific and technological revolution ignited by the Mutfwang administration.
“Science is not just a school subject,” he said. “It is the tool that shapes how we live, how we govern, and how we build peace.”
He highlighted key milestones achieved under the Governor’s leadership :
Plateau’s second-place finish at the National Young Scientists Presidential Award;
The launch of Hackathon Projects empowering local innovators;
Partnerships with the UNDP, Digital Bridge Institute, and NIDA; and
The upcoming Plateau Festival of Innovation, Science, and Technology (PlaFIST).
Dr. Shurkuk proudly announced that under Mutfwang’s directive, the ministry’s budget had soared from under ₦1 billion to over ₦4 billion for 2026 , a record-breaking investment that underscores the Governor’s faith in the state’s young innovators.
The festivities later moved to Odilin’s Event Center, behind Plateau State Polytechnic, where the energy intensified.
The venue brimmed with students, innovators, researchers, and traditional leaders, all gathered to celebrate science as the new identity of Plateau State.
In his welcome address, Mr. Peter Bot Lamba (MNI), the Permanent Secretary, described the day as a defining moment in Plateau’s journey toward modernization:

“Today we celebrate knowledge, creativity, and courage to dream. Science is the foundation upon which every great society is built.”
Speakers from various sectors lauded Governor Mutfwang’s unprecedented commitment to science and technology.
The Director-General of the National Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Scheme (NYLES) described Plateau as “a rising hub of innovation in Nigeria,” while representatives of the Plateau Association of Tech Companies (PLATech) urged continuous government support for inventors, insisting that science is most powerful when it serves humanity.
Traditional leaders also echoed the praise. Representing the Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Highness Da-Gwom Rwei Kabon, Da Emmanuel Pam, commended the Governor for prioritizing science :
“No nation develops without science. Plateau must continue to build on this strong foundation of innovation and technology.”
The celebration featured science exhibitions and a lively inter-school quiz competition involving CKT Shandam, Baptist High, Girls High, and Government Science School Kuru.
In the end, CKT Shandam emerged champion, as Da Emmanuel Pam presented prizes, urging the students to pursue science with passion and integrity.
Exhibitors like Royal International Products Ltd. showcased local brilliance, unveiling Atimissia Combination Tea — a herbal formula for malaria derived from Plateau’s rich flora, reinforcing the Governor’s call for homegrown solutions.

In a keynote that captured the spirit of the day, Dr. Shurkuk chronicled Governor Mutfwang’s science-driven agenda — from funding local innovators to promoting ICT integration across public institutions.
He revealed that Plateau innovators have represented Nigeria on international platforms, including the Next Generation Challenge (UK) and Innovate Naija, proving that the state’s youth can compete globally.
Establish a data bank of Plateau innovators and inventions,
Open a liaison office in Abuja for patent registration and innovation marketing; and
Review and modernize the 2005 Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy to include Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and Cloud Technology.
“Our goal is not just to promote science,” he declared, “but to make it the engine of our economy.”
Adding to the success story, Mr. Dominic Gwaman Datong, Director-General of PICTDA, highlighted Plateau’s digital transformation through locally built applications that manage education, healthcare, and administrative systems.

He acknowledged challenges such as funding and manpower shortages but assured the public of the agency’s commitment to bridging the gap through private-sector partnerships and capacity-building programs.
“Governor Mutfwang’s support has made data-driven governance a reality in Plateau,” he said. “We are ensuring that technology works for every citizen, from the city to the most remote community.”
As twilight fell over the Jos skyline, the message resonated , Plateau State has entered a new era of progress powered by science, technology, and innovation.
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s vision has moved beyond rhetoric to results.
Through expanded funding, international collaborations, ICT reforms, and a deep belief in human capacity, he has turned Plateau into a beacon of scientific rebirth in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
His administration is not just building roads and bridges — it is building minds, machines, and possibilities.

“Under Mutfwang, science is no longer theory,” remarked one participant. “It’s Plateau’s new culture.”



































































































































































































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