By Mani Imman
Since assuming office in 2023, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has made deliberate efforts to foster inclusion, unity, and cooperation across religious lines, particularly with the Muslim community, which complained of marginalization in some of parts of the State.
The governor’s approach has been marked by openness, equity, and interfaith engagement.
One of the most visible signs of this robust relationship is Mutfwang’s participation in Islamic religious events.
In March 2025, during the month of Ramadan, he hosted an Iftar dinner in Jos that brought together Muslim leaders from all 17 local government areas.
Speaking with the Emirs, Islamic clerics, and community elders, Mutfwang reaffirmed his commitment to building a peaceful and inclusive Plateau, noting that religious diversity should be a source of strength rather than division.
“Peace cannot be achieved by any one group alone. We need both Muslims and Christians to work together to build the Plateau of our dreams,” he emphasized.
Such overtures have earned him praise from prominent Muslim figures. During the 2024 Sallah homage to Government House, Muslim leaders applauded what they described as his “visionary, proactive, and inclusive” leadership.
They commended his decision to sponsor over 500 Muslim pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj and acknowledged his attention to development projects in Muslim-majority areas, including the repair of major roads near central mosques and the provision of livestock and food supplies during Eid celebrations.
The Governor’s prompt response to fairness, ensured broader representation of the Muslim community in governance which the community described as a gesture of humility and commitment to inclusive governance.
Further strengthening his interfaith credentials, the governor inaugurated a 35-member Inter-Religious Advisory Council in April 2025.
The council, co-chaired by leaders from both the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), is tasked with fostering peaceful dialogue, mutual understanding, and religious harmony.
The council’s membership drawn from both faiths was carefully crafted to ensure balance and representation.
Mutfwang has also taken a strong stance against extremism, cautioning against generalisations that label entire communities based on the actions of a few.
This position reflects a broader attempt to change the narrative around religion and violence in Plateau State, as he sought cooperation from all sectors, including the Muslim community, to tackle recurring violence.
His administration has condemned recent attacks, including mob violence and village raids, and called for swift investigation and prosecution of perpetrators, regardless of their affiliations.
Through sustained engagement, developmental fairness, and deliberate inclusion, Governor Mutfwang is building bridges where walls once stood.
As the State continues to grapple with complex social and religious dynamics, there is no doubt that the Mutfwang’s administration offers a blueprint for how empathy, dialogue, and courage can be used to ensure peace, and lead a diverse people toward a common goal.
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