About Us

Historical Background

Plateau Coalition of Business and Professional Associations (PLACOBPA) came into being in 2009 following dedicated facilitation, trainings capacity building undertaken subsequently in 2010 by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) of Washington D. C. USA, and Jos Business School. Meetings were held thereafter with officials of Plateau Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (PLACCIMA) and the concept of the coalition was worked out and adopted and inaugurated in 2010. The coalition which had initial membership strength of 18 associations (all of which took part in the first Workshop) has now grown to 26 registered members and still counting (there are an estimated 40 business and professional associations on the Plateau).

Like the growth and development of a child, from crawling to standing, walking and running, so is the growth and development of PLACOBPA. Today PLACOBPA stands out as the most preferred umbrella body of the entire business community embodying 26 associations with over a million members.

The Plateau State Business Agenda (BA) launch in 2016 marked a landmark achievement in the development of PLACOBPA. The Business Agenda and the revised business agenda now serve as advocacy instruments used to deliberate on socio-economic issues with stakeholders and state government.

The Business Agenda Review, 2018 and Gubernatorial Debate 2019 are other landmark achievements and a continuation of sustainable advocacy on the Plateau.

12th January, 2019 Gubernatorial Debate at MEES Palace Event Centre, Jos

About Plateau State

Plateau State Business Forum - Placobpa
Plateau State Map

Plateau State the 12th Largest State in Nigeria was created out of the then Benue-Plateau State on February 3, 1976 by the Murtala Mohammed Regime. Its capital is Jos. Jos the original name ‘Gwosh’ was wrongly pronounced as ‘Jos’ by the Hausa who settled on the site and turned it into a trading center.

Plateau State got its name from the Jos Plateau, a mountainous area in the north of the state with captivating rock formations. Bare rocks are scattered across the grasslands, which cover the Plateau. The altitude ranges from around 1,200 meters (about 4000feet) to a peak of 1,829 meters above sea level in the Shere Hills range near Jos. Plateau State has led to a reduced incidence of some tropical diseases such as malaria. The Jos Plateau makes it the source of many rivers in Northern Nigeria including the Kaduna, Gongola, Hadejia and Yobe rivers.

Located in North-Central Nigeria, Plateau State occupies 26,899 square kilometers. Plateau State shares borders with Kaduna State to the North, Kaduna and Nassarawa States to the East, Benue to the south and Taraba State to the East. Plateau State is located between latitude 80°24’N and longitude 80°32’ and 100°38’ east.

Plateau State is also divided into chiefdoms and emirates, each encompassing ethnic groups who share common affinities. Leaders of the chiefdoms are elected by the people from amongst several contestants who may not be related to any past chiefdom leaders, while succession to the position of an emir is hereditary.

Plateau State Government House
Plateau State Government House

Tourism

Plateau State is known as the Home of Peace and Tourism in Nigeria. Although the tourism sector isn’t thriving as much as it should due to meager allocations to it by the State Government and the lack of the desired, favorable business environment for full private sector participation, its natural endowments are still attractions to tourists mostly within Nigeria. Major tourist attractions in the states include the following:

  • The Jos Wildlife Park
  • The National Museum
  • The Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture
  • Solomon Lar Amusement Park
  • Jos Zoo
  • Assop Falls
  • Kurra Falls
  • Wase Rock
  • The Kerang Highlands
  • The Shere Hills
  • Riyom Rock Formations
  • Pandam Game Reserve
  • Kahwang Rock Formations
  • Miango Rest House
Jos Wildlife Park