Puus Kaat Festival to Boost Tourism, Economic Growth in Plateau
By Comfort Pius
Organisers of the 2026 Puus Kaat Annual Cultural Festival say this year’s edition is strategically positioned to drive tourism, stimulate local economic activities, and promote community development in Plateau State.
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This was disclosed on Friday, April 10, 2026, by the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Chief Jerry Satmark, during a press conference held at the NUJ Secretariat, Plateau State Council, Jos, where details of the festival were unveiled.
Satmark described the Puus Kaat Festival as a growing cultural platform that has transcended celebration to become a tool for economic empowerment and social cohesion among the Mwaghavul people.
“Puus Kaat is more than a festival it is a movement. It is a catalyst for tourism, a platform for our youth, and a bridge toward lasting peace,” he said.
He explained that the 2026 edition, themed “Mwaghavul Heritage, Digital Future: Preserving Culture Through Innovation,” is designed to attract tourists, investors, and cultural enthusiasts from within and outside Nigeria, while preserving the rich heritage of the Mwaghavul people.
The grand finale of the festival is scheduled for April 25, 2026, following a lineup of activities beginning on April 22, including cultural tours, exhibitions, competitions, and community-based programmes.
According to Satmark, the festival is expected to generate economic opportunities for local businesses, particularly in the hospitality, transportation, food, and creative sectors.
He noted that events such as the marathon race, cultural pageant, symposium, traditional Tubbwor games, and community medical outreach reflect the festival’s broader commitment to youth development, public health, and intellectual engagement.
Stakeholders say cultural festivals such as Puus Kaat are increasingly serving as viable platforms for promoting domestic tourism, especially in Plateau State, widely known for its cultural diversity and tourism potential.
The festival has received backing from the Plateau State Government through the Ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Culture and Tourism, as well as the Plateau Indigenous Development Association Network (PIDAN), further strengthening its institutional support.
Observers also note that beyond its economic value, the festival provides an avenue for fostering unity, promoting peace, and projecting a positive image of the state.
Activities lined up include guided tours of cultural landmarks, traditional storytelling sessions, film and music exhibitions, and a grand cultural procession from the Mishkaham’s Palace.
Satmark called on corporate organisations, development partners, and the media to support the initiative, emphasising the need for collaboration to fully harness the economic benefits of cultural tourism.
“We invite friends and visitors from across Nigeria and around the world to experience the creativity and the soul of the Mwaghavul people firsthand,” he added.
The 2026 edition of the Puus Kaat Festival is expected to draw large crowds and further position Plateau State as a key destination for cultural tourism in Nigeria.