By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has called for stronger collaboration between the state government and First Bank of Nigeria to accelerate economic development, particularly in agriculture, mining, energy and rural development.
The governor made the call when the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Mr Olusegun Alebiosu, paid him a courtesy visit at the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos.
Alebiosu said the bank was interested in supporting agriculture and rural development in Plateau State while exploring investment opportunities in the energy sector, including solar power and power generation.
He added that FirstBank was also willing to support mining and other productive sectors, emphasising that sustainable economic growth required effective collaboration between the government and private sector.
“It is partnership, and we need to get those things done,” he said, noting that although private investors could drive projects such as power generation, the government had an important role in creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
The FirstBank chief executive commended Mutfwang for the development initiatives being pursued despite the security challenges facing the state.
He said the bank was committed to strengthening its relationship with Plateau and supporting economic empowerment.
Alebiosu disclosed that FirstBank had 11 branches in Plateau State and urged the government to provide more opportunities for the bank to contribute to the state’s economic development.
In his response, Mutfwang commended FirstBank for its transformation over the years, describing its progress as an example of how innovation and willingness to embrace change could produce remarkable results.
The governor also urged the bank to consider preserving the historical legacy of its Terminus branch in Jos, which he linked to the banking history associated with former British Prime Minister John Major.
He further called on the bank to strengthen its engagement with communities across Plateau State, particularly by supporting microfinance institutions to expand access to financial services, technical expertise and credit guarantees at the grassroots.
Mutfwang recalled FirstBank’s previous contributions to the state, including a corporate social responsibility intervention for patients at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
He encouraged the bank to develop more sustainable interventions that would deliver lasting benefits to residents.
While expressing the state government’s readiness to deepen its partnership with the bank, the governor raised concerns about the difficulty of accessing affordable development financing, particularly for agriculture and infrastructure.
“We can’t expect upscale production as a nation if we are not able to provide the right financing structure for agriculture,” Mutfwang said.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to move beyond consumption towards increased production and processing, noting that accessible financing was essential to achieving that transition.
The governor expressed hope that FirstBank, through its participation in the Bankers’ Committee and other relevant platforms, would help develop financing mechanisms to support production, processing and broader economic growth in Plateau State.
