The Plateau State Association of Tech Companies (PLATEC) has elected new executives, with Stephen Sunday emerging as the chairman. The election, which took place on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA) office in Jos, was attended by representatives of registered tech companies, stakeholders, and observers.
In his acceptance speech, Sunday Stephen, who is also the founder of GONANA and KUSU Consult, reaffirmed his commitment to fostering inclusivity and expanding collaborations within the ICT sector. He emphasized the importance of technology in economic development and outlined his vision for repositioning Plateau State as a leading hub for technological innovation in Northern Nigeria.
“Technology is the backbone of every sector, and we must be proactive in driving innovation. We will engage critical stakeholders to reposition Plateau State as a leader in tech, not just in the North but across Nigeria,” he stated. He also expressed confidence in the support of government agencies such as PLASMIDA and the Ministry of Science and Technology to enhance the tech ecosystem.
Hon. Bomkam Ali Wuyep, Director General of PLASMIDA, congratulated the new chairman and highlighted the agency’s role in initiating PLATEC. “We established this association to consolidate the efforts of tech companies in Plateau State. The ICT sector has a vast value chain, and bringing these companies together has allowed us to address poverty and unemployment through innovation,” Wuyep said.
He expressed optimism that the new leadership would deepen collaborations and further strengthen the association’s impact.
Chief Koppe Sylvanus Joseph, the outgoing chairman, recounted the strides made under his tenure. He noted that PLATEC had successfully engaged with government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
“PLATEC was formed to strengthen digital penetration, foster synergy among tech communities, and support the government in advocacy and policy reviews. Through our efforts, we have participated in major tech events like GITEX in Morocco and Kigali, as well as the Digital Nigeria Conference in Abuja,” he said.
Joseph also highlighted the association’s role in nurturing freelancers and collaborating with academic institutions such as the University of Jos and Plateau State Polytechnic. He urged the new leadership to build on the existing foundation and ensure inclusivity within the tech community.
Observers at the election, including Dr. Yinka Oyerinde, Chairman of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) Plateau State chapter, Yoila Yusuf, a Director at the Plateau State Information and Communication Development Agency (PICTDA) and Barr. Samson Karami, Director of Partnership and Linkages at PLASMIDA, praised the electoral process as transparent and seamless.
Dr. Oyerinde noted that Plateau State boasts a unique and vibrant tech ecosystem that includes private sector players, government agencies, and academia. “Unlike many states where the tech ecosystem is either government-driven or dominated by academia, Plateau has a balanced collaboration among stakeholders. This unity has been a major strength of PLATEC,” he remarked.
The newly elected executives of PLATEC are:
- Chairman: Sunday Stephen
- Vice Chairman: Ibrahim Jimoh
- Executive Secretary: Elizabeth Hris
- Treasurer: Stephanie Ideho-Iraoya
- Financial Secretary: Bulus Azi Nyam
- Director of Innovation: Saviour O. Anyanwu
- Public Relations Officer: Joseph Enojo Ajogwu
- Assistant PRO: Isaiah Ibigbemi
The election committee chairman, Eric Martins, officially declared the results and urged all members to remain committed to building the future of PLATEC.
With the new leadership in place, stakeholders anticipate a progressive era for the tech ecosystem in Plateau State, fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth.
