Plateau Unveils ₦4bn Youth Fund, Assures Fair Access
By Comfort Pius, Jos.
The Plateau State Government has assured youths across the state of equitable access to its proposed ₦4 billion youth empowerment fund, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity or location.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Musa Ashoms, gave the assurance on Wednesday at the 2026 International Youth Day celebration organised by the Plateau State Youth Council (PYC) at Gowon Hall, Crispan Suites, Jos.
Ashoms said the fund would be jointly financed by the Plateau State Government and the Bank of Industry (BOI), with each contributing ₦2 billion.
According to him, the intervention is designed to support young entrepreneurs, strengthen existing businesses and create opportunities for youths to achieve financial independence while contributing meaningfully to the state’s economic development.
The commissioner dismissed concerns that the fund could be used as a vehicle for political patronage, stressing that qualified youths across the three senatorial zones would have equal opportunities to benefit.
“Neither political affiliation nor ethnic background would determine who benefits from the intervention,” Ashoms stated.
He urged Plateau youths to take advantage of the initiative by building sustainable businesses rather than depending solely on government employment.
Ashoms also commended the creativity, skills and resilience of young people in the state, noting that many already possessed the capacity to succeed if provided with the right support and opportunities.
Responding on behalf of the youths, PYC Chairman, Comrade Panan Dapar, called on young people across the state to put aside political, ethnic and religious differences and unite for the common good.
Dapar said the Youth Council remained a recognised platform for coordinating youth affairs across the 17 local government areas of Plateau State.
He urged youth organisations to avoid actions capable of creating unnecessary divisions, stressing that the collective interests of young people should take precedence over political and personal affiliations.
“My political colour should not be the issue. My tribe should not be the issue. My religion should not be the issue,” Dapar said.
He said the more important question should be whether young people were contributing to peace, development and security in their communities.
Dapar identified insecurity and drug abuse as major challenges confronting youths, urging them to take greater responsibility for promoting peace and protecting their communities.
He cited youth-led initiatives in Tudun Wada, Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Qua’an Pan, Bokkos, Langtang North and Pankshin as examples of how young people were already making meaningful contributions to community development.
He called for stronger collaboration among the state government, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, traditional institutions, youth organisations and other stakeholders to address the challenges confronting young people.
Former PYC Chairman, Dr. Jemchang Gavong, who delivered the keynote address, urged youths to stop viewing age as an automatic qualification for leadership positions or political appointments.
Gavong encouraged them to acquire knowledge, develop relevant skills and build strong character while participating actively in governance and making informed political choices based on competence rather than ethnicity, religion or short-term benefits.
He emphasised that freedom comes with responsibility, noting that relevance in society must be earned through preparation, competence and purposeful engagement.
The event attracted more than 1,200 youths from the 17 local government areas of the state, including local government, district and ward youth leaders.
The gathering ended with renewed calls for greater youth inclusion and participation in governance and development, with participants expressing optimism that the state government would sustain policies aimed at empowering young people and promoting a peaceful and prosperous Plateau State.
