Plateau State Government and Chocolate City Group today announced a strategic partnership to establish a creative hub and radio station in Jos. The partnership, formalized at a signing event in the Plateau State capital over the weekend, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s creative economy development.

The high-profile ceremony drew key stakeholders, with Hon. Cornelius Doeyok, Plateau State Commissioner for Tourism, Culture, and Hospitality and Mrs. Dongkum Grace Shwarta, Commissioner for Finance, representing the Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang. Chocolate City Group was represented by Chairman Audu Maikori and Chocolate City Music CEO Abuchi Peter Ugwu.

L-R: Manji Wilson, Chief Technical Adviser on Development Partnerships, Plateau State; Abuchi Peter Ugwu, CEO of Chocolate City Music; Audu Maikori, Chairman of Chocolate City Group; Hon. Cornelius Doeyok, Commissioner for Tourism, Culture, and Hospitality; Mrs. Dongkum Grace Shwarta, Commissioner for Finance; Hon. Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, Commissioner for Youth; and Hon. Sylvanus Dongtoe, Commissioner for Housing & Urban Development, at the creative sector partnership signing ceremony in Jos, Plateau State.

The Governor while earlier welcoming the team in Jos, emphasised his administration’s commitment to leverage every resource and partnership that will enable the development of 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. Governor Mutfwang committed to ensure the partnership with Chocolate City builds a new platform for the young people of Plateau State.

This partnership is expected to transform Jos into a creative powerhouse, strategically focusing on job creation, skills development, and economic diversification through Nigeria’s rapidly expanding creative industries. The hub will deliver comprehensive infrastructure including state-of-the-art production facilities, professional skills training programs, and a radio station, with particular emphasis on creating opportunities for youth, women, and persons with disabilities.

Hon. Doeyok emphasized the economic significance of the venture, stating, This partnership positions Jos as Nigeria’s creative capital. By investing in our creative industries, we will diversify our economy and create sustainable employment for our talented youth across Plateau State.

The collaboration holds special significance for Chocolate City, as Chairman Audu Maikori explained:

This goes beyond another partnership for us. We are creating opportunities that will transform lives and livelihoods where our journey began, because without Jos, there will be no Chocolate City. This creative revolution will empower thousands of young Nigerians with marketable skills and platforms to showcase their talents globally.

The timing of this partnership is particularly meaningful as Chocolate City officially turns 20 this year. The company started as campus raves at the University of Jos over two decades ago, where co-founders Audu Maikori and Paul Okeugo laid the foundation for what would become one of Africa’s leading entertainment brands. Now, the company returns to invest in the community that nurtured its beginning.

Industry data underscores the economic potential of this initiative. According to Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, the motion picture and music recording industries contributed 154 billion Naira (approximately $197.6 million) to Nigeria’s GDP in 2023, with projections indicating substantial growth in coming years.

Abuchi Peter Ugwu, CEO of Chocolate City Music, outlined the project’s vision:

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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.

The comprehensive 15-year partnership builds upon the earlier Memorandum of Understanding signed between Chocolate City Group and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy last month. This initiative aligns seamlessly with Nigeria’s broader economic reforms and diversification strategy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, representing a model for creative economy development across the nation.

About Jos, Plateau State

With its temperate climate, rich cultural diversity, and established history as a center of cultural production, Jos provides an ideal environment for creative innovation. Known as the "Home of Peace and Tourism," the city’s creative heritage makes it perfectly positioned to become Nigeria’s next creative economy hub.

About Chocolate City Group

Chocolate City Group is one of Africa’s foremost media and entertainment companies with interests across music, film, television, content production, publishing, and distribution. Founded in 2005, the company has grown from its origins in Jos to become a multi-faceted entertainment powerhouse with global reach. 

The Group has been instrumental in developing some of Africa’s most celebrated artists including Young Jonn, Blaqbonez, Tariq, and has consistently pioneered innovative approaches to entertainment business across the continent. 

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By rotating venues across campus and offering limited-time menus, students gain real-world experience in operations while testing new recipes and digital tools.

Collaboration with faculty mentors and industry partners enables rapid prototyping of solutions like AI-driven inventory systems, protein snacks, and automated order management.

Successful teams have secured seed funding, launched formal startups, and prompted updates to hospitality and food science courses.

The 7 methods below show how these cafés serve as genuine food tech incubators.

1. Hands-on management of full operations

Students oversee all stages of café operations, from negotiating supplier contracts and forecasting costs to hiring staff and serving customers. They learn to manage cash flow, obtain bulk purchase discounts, and adapt to sudden changes in demand.

This end-to-end involvement builds the financial discipline and operational flexibility needed for any food technology venture.

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2. Rapid recipe development driven by customer data

Rather than rely on guesses, students collect structured feedback through quick exit surveys, QR code polls, and social media comments.

They track which menu items sell best and tweak ingredients daily, swapping grains or adjusting spice levels, to balance taste quality and profit. This fast iteration mimics agile development in software startups.

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3. Creation of simple digital ordering and inventory tools

Café teams build web-based ordering portals and mobile interfaces that allow customers to select items and pay in advance.

Integrated dashboards show real-time sales volumes, ingredient consumption, and peak ordering windows. These insights reduce waste, improve stock planning, and highlight the value of data-powered operations.

4. Collaboration with food science research labs

By partnering with campus laboratories, students test new formulations such as soy-based alternatives or nutrient-fortified snacks under controlled conditions.

Lab support speeds up shelf life studies, nutritional analysis, and safety checks. Faculty researchers gain practical case studies, and students get hands-on experience in product validation.

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5. Partnerships with local food producers

Students source fresh ingredients from urban farms, smallholder cooperatives, and artisan vendors in surrounding communities.

In exchange for featuring these suppliers, pop-up cafes provide marketing exposure and direct customer feedback. These reciprocal relationships support local economies and teach ethical sourcing and supply chain transparency.

6. Pitch events and accelerator support

Regular showcases bring investors, accelerator managers, and corporate backers to campus to sample products and review business plans.

Several teams have won grants or been accepted into national incubator programs. This exposure teaches students how to craft pitches, structure revenue forecasts, and negotiate early-stage funding.

7. Integration into academic programs

Lessons from pop-up café operations feed back into entrepreneurship and hospitality courses.

Faculty now includes case studies on dynamic pricing, customer segmentation, and lean supply chain design drawn directly from student projects.

This continuous refinement ensures that academic curricula remain aligned with emerging trends in food technology.

By transforming transient campus cafés into collaborative hubs, UNILAG students gain practical skills and create pathways for food-tech ventures that address real market challenges.

This model demonstrates how experiential learning and industry engagement can accelerate startup formation and drive sector growth.

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