Plateau

Plateau State, named after the Jos Plateau that forms the core of its geography, is Nigeria's cool-weather highland destination. Its capital, Jos, sits at an elevation of approximately 1,200 m (4,000 ft), giving it a temperate climate that is a welcome escape from the lowland heat. The state is a landscape of rolling grasslands, rocky outcrops, and extinct volcanic formations — the "tin city" grew rich on the tin mining industry during the colonial era. Plateau State is one of the most ethnically diverse parts of Nigeria, with over 60 ethno-linguistic groups, including the Berom, Afizere, Anaguta, Ngas, and Tarok peoples coexisting with Hausa-Fulani settlers. The Jos Plateau is also the source of many of Nigeria's major rivers. The state's main attractions include the Jos Wildlife Park (one of Nigeria's best zoos), the Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture (MOTNA), and the dramatic rock formations known as the Jos Hills.

The dry season (November–March) is best — the weather is warm and pleasant (22–28°C). The harmattan (December–February) brings cool, dusty mornings. The rainy season (April–October) is wet but the plateau stays green and mild. The Plateau State Trade Fair (March) and the Jos Carnival (December) are major events.

Jos city is spread out — taxis and keke tricycles are the main local transport. Uber and Bolt operate in the city. The Jos–Abuja road (4 hours) is the main link to the south. The Jos–Bauchi road connects to the North-East. The Yakubu Gowon Airport (JOS) has flights to Abuja and Lagos.

Plateau State's cuisine reflects its ethnic diversity. Giwa (a groundnut soup) and Acha (fonio, a tiny grain) porridge are local staples. Taliya-Taliya (fried bean balls) are a popular snack. The Jos beer culture is famous — the city is known as Nigeria's "home of beer" thanks to the Jos International Beer Festival.

The Jos International Beer Festival (October) is the state's signature event — a celebration of brewing and music. The Jos Carnival (December/January) features parades, music, and cultural displays. The Nzem Berom Festival (April/May) celebrates the Berom people's New Year with traditional dances and masquerades. The Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture (MOTNA) in Jos showcases life-sized replicas of traditional buildings from across Nigeria.

• Explore the Jos Wildlife Park — one of Nigeria's best zoos, with lions, elephants, baboons, and a reptile house
• Rock formation scrambling at the Jos Hills — dramatic granite outcrops around the city perfect for hiking
• Jos Museum and MOTNA — arguably the best museum complex in Nigeria, with traditional architecture exhibits
• Assop Falls — beautiful waterfalls on the Jos–Abuja road, a popular weekend picnic spot
• Beer garden crawl in Jos — sample locally brewed beers at the city's famous beer gardens

• Jos — the state capital, the cool highland city, home to the Jos Wildlife Park, the National Museum, and MOTNA
• Bukuru — a town just south of Jos, the commercial centre of the Jos Plateau, with the Bukuru Market
• Pankshin — a town in the central plateau, known for its scenic location and the Pankshin General Hospital
• Shendam — a town in the southern lowlands of the state, a trade centre for the Tarok people
• Langtang — the headquarters of the Tarok people, in the south-east, with Langtang North and South LGAs
• Vom — a town near Jos, home to the National Veterinary Research Institute and the Vom Police Staff College
• Barkin Ladi — a town west of Jos, an agricultural centre known for its vegetable production
• Mangu — a town in the central plateau, a market centre for the Mwaghavul people
• Wase — a town in the south-east of the state, the seat of the Wase Emirate, with the Wase Rock
• Bokkos — a town in the south-west, a centre of the Ron people, with the Bokkos Local Government
• Riyom — a town near Jos, known for the Riyom Rock formation and the annual Riyom Carnival