The Plateau State Government has announced the soft opening of the historic Hill Station Hotel in Jos, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The test-opening ceremony was held on 1 October 2026, with the Commissioner for Information and Communication and overseeing Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Hospitality, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, mni, representing Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.
The event brought together government officials, investors, traditional rulers and other dignitaries to witness the reopening of the newly remodelled landmark.
Built in 1938 during the colonial era, Hill Station Hotel was among Nigeria’s earliest and most renowned hotels and famously hosted Queen Elizabeth II and other international dignitaries and explorers.
The facility has now been revitalised under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Plateau State Government and Hillside Hospitality.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Ramnap explained that the 1 October 2026 ceremony was a soft opening designed to test the hotel’s operations and service delivery ahead of its official commissioning.
She said Governor Mutfwang would personally conduct the formal commissioning and major grand opening of the hotel in the coming weeks.
Ramnap said the administration remained committed to restoring critical state-owned assets and repositioning Plateau State as a leading destination for tourism, sports and investment.
She added that the rehabilitation of the hotel was part of the administration’s broader “Time is Now” strategy to revive the state’s economy through tourism development, attraction of local and foreign investment, job creation and the use of public-private partnerships to promote sustainable development.
“This is more than the reopening of a hotel; it is the reopening of Plateau to the world. For a State that has been a flashpoint, we are deliberately rewriting our narrative from conflict to commerce, from history to hospitality,” she said.
According to her, the return of the Hill Station Hotel sends a message to investors that Plateau State is peaceful, honours agreements and provides a secure environment for investment.
The commissioner said the revitalised facility would further enhance Plateau’s reputation as a major destination for hospitality, leisure and business investment.
She also called on investors in Nigeria and the diaspora to explore opportunities in the state, citing its favourable climate, rich cultural heritage and investor-friendly policies.
Among the dignitaries at the event were the Chairman of Hillside Hospitality, Mr Kolapo Joseph; Managing Director of the Plateau Investment and Property Development Company (PIPC), Mr Danlami Jelka; the Project Director, Damilola; Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Grace Dongkum Shwarta; Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, Prof. Noel Wannang; HRH Nde Jika Golit, the Ngolong Ngas; and HRH Yakubu Chaimang, the Ataa Aten of Ganawuri.
Ramnap assured that the Ministry of Information and Communication would continue to project the positive stories of Plateau State, attract goodwill and showcase the state’s tourism potential to the world.
The revitalised Hill Station Hotel is now open to visitors as the state seeks to revive its historic hospitality industry and strengthen its position on Nigeria’s tourism map.
