The Plateau State Government has entered into a pioneering partnership with Chocolate City Group to establish a creative industry incubator and radio station in Jos. The agreement was signed during a ceremony at the Government House in Jos recently, according to a statement.
The event attracted key government officials, including Hon. Cornelius Doeyok, Commissioner for Tourism, Culture, and Hospitality; Mrs. Dongkum Grace Shwarta, Commissioner for Finance; and Hon. Sylvanus Dongtoe, Commissioner for Housing & Urban Development, representing the Plateau State Governor. Chairman Audu Maikori and the Chief Executive Officer, Abuchi Peter Ugwu, represented Chocolate City.
During a meeting with the Chocolate City team earlier, Governor Caleb Mutfwang stressed his administration’s commitment to fostering partnerships that will enhance the creative ecosystem in Plateau State. “Plateau State provides that enabling environment and has produced so many creatives doing wonders not just in Nigeria, but globally,” he added. The governor pledged to ensure the partnership with Chocolate City opens new opportunities for the young people of Plateau State.
Emphasising the economic significance of the partnership, Doeyok stated, “This MoU stems from His Excellency’s vision to breathe new life into the creative industry on the Plateau. Plateau is rich with talent. Our goal is to harness that in ways that significantly boost output and visibility.”
The initiative will focus on developing infrastructure for talent growth, including production facilities, professional training programmes, and a community radio station. The project specifically aims to create opportunities for young people, women, and individuals with disabilities in the creative industries sector.
For Chocolate City, the partnership represents a homecoming. “This initiative is deeply personal for us. We are creating opportunities that will transform lives and livelihoods where our journey began, because without Jos, there would be no Chocolate City. This creative revolution will empower thousands of young Nigerians with marketable skills and platforms to showcase their talents globally,” Maikori added.
The timing is especially important as Chocolate City marks its 20th anniversary this year. The company began as campus raves at the University of Jos over twenty years ago, where co-founders Audu Maikori and Paul Okeugo laid the groundwork for what would become one of Africa’s leading entertainment firms.
Economic data underscores the potential influence of the venture. Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics reports that the motion picture and music recording industries contributed 154 billion Naira (around $197.6 million) to Nigeria’s GDP in 2023, with projections indicating continued growth in the sector.
Ugwu shared the company’s vision for the project: “Our goal is to channel the creativity and energy that Jos is known for into productive economic activities. This ecosystem will provide the tools and connections needed for the young people of Plateau State to compete globally and generate sustainable income for our creative entrepreneurs.”
Jos, with its unique climate, cultural diversity, and established reputation as a creative hub, offers an ideal location for the incubator. The 15-year partnership builds on an earlier Memorandum of Understanding signed between Chocolate City Group and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy.
The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and establishes a model for creative economy development that could be replicated nationwide.
