Plateau's Creation

The history of Plateau State’s creation is rooted in Nigeria's broader efforts to reorganize its administrative structure to better manage its ethnic diversity and regional complexities. Initially, the area now known as Plateau State was part of a larger administrative entity called Benue-Plateau State, created on May 27, 1967, during the regime of General Yakubu Gowon. This reorganization divided Nigeria into 12 states from the original four regions. The Benue-Plateau State, with its capital in Jos, was a response to the need for better governance and the desire to manage ethnic tensions within the Northern Region.

However, as part of a larger restructuring aimed at further decentralization and enhancing administrative efficiency, General Murtala Mohammed created Plateau State on February 3, 1976 by splitting Benue-Plateau into two distinct states—Benue State and Plateau State. The creation of Plateau State, with Jos as its capital, was significant because it acknowledged the region's unique cultural and geographic identity.

This division gave Plateau its own administrative autonomy, allowing the state to focus on the specific needs of its diverse communities. The city of Jos, which had already become a hub for trade, education, and mining (particularly tin mining) under colonial rule, continued to serve as the focal point of the state’s development. Tin mining, which peaked in the early 20th century, attracted people from different parts of Nigeria and beyond, further adding to the state's rich cultural mosaic.

The division also empowered Benue State, with its new capital in Makurdi, to cater to the interests of the ethnic groups in the Benue River Basin.

This dual history—starting with the creation of Benue-Plateau State under General Yakubu Gowon in 1967 and culminating in the creation of Plateau State under General Murtala Mohammed in 1976—often leads to confusion. However, understanding this sequence provides critical insights into the socio-political dynamics that shaped Plateau State as it exists today.