Plateau State, the Home of Peace and Tourism, sits on the cool, elevated Jos Plateau in Nigeria’s North Central zone. Famous for its temperate climate, its rocky highland scenery and its long history of tin mining, Plateau is one of the most scenic and ethnically diverse states in the country, with its capital Jos long regarded as a favourite highland retreat.
This complete guide brings together everything you need to know about Plateau State in one place: the full postal (zip) code for every local government area, the codes for its major towns, and an in-depth profile covering the capital, government, economy, infrastructure, education, culture, tourism and climate.
Before we get to the codes themselves, it helps to understand what they are. In Nigeria, what many people casually call a “zip code” is officially known as a postal code. These are the six digit numbers managed by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) that identify a specific area for the sorting and delivery of mail. Whether you are sending a parcel, filling out an online form, registering for a service or verifying an address, using the correct postal code for your location keeps everything accurate and reliable.
Plateau Zip Code
The postal (zip) codes of Plateau State range from 930001 to 942105. It has 17 local government areas, each with its own code, and the capital Jos falls under 930001 to 930211. Because Plateau State is large and every district can have its own code, no single number covers the whole state.
This is why it is always best to confirm the exact code for your specific location rather than relying on one general figure. The tables further down this page list the code for every local government area and for the major towns, so you can find the one that matches your address.
How Postal Codes Work in Plateau
Nigeria’s postal code system uses six digits, and the numbers are not random. The opening digits point to a broad postal zone and district, while the remaining digits narrow the location down to a specific delivery area. In Plateau State, the codes are grouped around the capital Jos and spread outward across the local government areas and towns.
For everyday use you rarely need to memorise these codes. What matters is knowing where to look them up and making sure you use the code for your exact district, since a parcel addressed with the wrong postal code can be delayed or misrouted.
As a simple example, a letter or package addressed to the capital, Jos, would carry a code in the 930001 to 930211 range, while an address in one of the more distant local government areas would use a completely different code. The tables below list the ranges recorded against each local government area and major town, which will get you to the right part of the numbering. They are a starting point rather than the last word: the code that matters for an official form is the one used by the post office that actually delivers to the address.
Full List of Plateau State LGA Postal Codes
Below is the complete list of all 17 local government areas in Plateau State and their postal (zip) codes.
How to read this table. NIPOST assigns postal codes to post office delivery districts, not to local government areas, and the two do not line up neatly. One delivery district often serves parts of several LGAs, which is why neighbouring areas here can share the same range — that is the system working as designed, not an error. Treat a range as the codes covering that area, not as a code issued exclusively to it. Where a code has to be exact, confirm it with the post office that delivers to the address before you submit anything.
Local Government Area (LGA)
Postal Code Range Serving This Area
Barkin Ladi
931102
Bassa
930109
Bokkos
932109
Jos East
930106
Jos North
930001
Jos South
930101
Kanam
942101
Kanke
933107
Langtang North
941101
Langtang South
941104
Mangu
932101
Mikang
940105
Pankshin
933101
Qua’an Pan
940109
Riyom
931107
Shendam
940101
Wase
942105
Postal Codes of Major Towns in Plateau
These are some of the most searched towns and areas and their postal codes.
Major Town
Postal Code Range Serving This Area
Jos
930001
Bukuru (Jos South)
930101
Pankshin
933101
Shendam
940101
Barkin Ladi
931102
Langtang
941101
Major Cities and Towns in Plateau State
Jos, the capital, together with the adjoining town of Bukuru in Jos South, forms the largest urban area and the administrative, educational and cultural centre of the state, famous for its cool climate.
Pankshin is an important town and educational centre in the highlands, while Shendam, in the lowlands to the south, is a historic Goemai town. Barkin Ladi, at the heart of the tin fields, Langtang, known for producing many senior military officers, and Bokkos are other important centres. Together these towns, spread across the plateau and the surrounding lowlands, make up the fabric of the Home of Peace and Tourism.
Jos: The Capital of Plateau State
Jos, the capital of Plateau State, is one of the most distinctive cities in Nigeria, set high on the Jos Plateau and blessed with a cool, temperate climate that has long made it a favourite retreat. It hosts the state secretariat, the Governor’s office and major institutions.
The city grew in the early twentieth century as the centre of Nigeria’s tin-mining industry, drawing workers and settlers from across the country and beyond and giving it a cosmopolitan character. Its rocky surroundings and pleasant weather earned it a reputation as a highland resort.
Jos is home to the Jos Museum, the Wildlife Park and a lively arts and cultural scene, and it has served as a centre of education and Christianity in the north, hosting many colleges and institutions.
As the heart of the Home of Peace and Tourism, Jos combines its mining heritage and cool climate with its role as an administrative, educational and cultural centre on the plateau.
Overview and History of Plateau State
Plateau State was created in 1976 from the former Benue-Plateau State, and part of it was later carved out to form Nasarawa State. It lies in the North Central zone and is divided into 17 Local Government Areas. It takes its name from the Jos Plateau, the highland that dominates its territory.
The discovery of tin and columbite in the early twentieth century transformed the plateau, building the city of Jos, drawing a diverse population and creating one of Nigeria’s earliest mining economies. This heritage shaped the state’s cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic character.
Plateau is one of the most ethnically diverse states in Nigeria, home to the Berom, Afizere, Anaguta, Ngas, Taroh, Goemai and many other groups, each with its own language and traditions, alongside settlers from across the country.
This combination of a cool highland setting, a rich mining history and remarkable ethnic diversity gives Plateau a distinctive and important place among the states of the North Central zone.
Government and Administration
Plateau State is governed by Caleb Mutfwang, who serves as the state’s chief executive from Jos and administers public services across all 17 Local Government Areas, working alongside the elected State House of Assembly and the judiciary.
The administration’s priorities include security and peace-building, agriculture, tourism, mining and the development of both the capital and the rural highland communities.
Promoting harmony among the state’s many communities, reviving tourism and supporting farming and mining are consistent themes of government policy.
Economy of Plateau State
Plateau’s economy has long been tied to mining, and although large-scale tin mining has declined, the state remains rich in solid minerals, including tin, columbite and other ores that continue to be worked on a smaller scale.
The cool climate of the plateau makes the state one of Nigeria’s most important producers of temperate crops such as potatoes, vegetables and fruits, along with cereals and livestock, giving agriculture a central role in the economy.
Tourism, education and commerce add further strands, with Jos serving as a regional hub, and the state’s scenery and climate offering potential that the government continues to develop.
This blend of mining, highland agriculture, tourism and commerce gives Plateau a varied economy rooted in its unique landscape and resources.
Infrastructure and Transport
Plateau is served by the Yakubu Gowon Airport near Jos, which connects the state to other parts of the country, along with road networks linking Jos to Bauchi, Kaduna, Nasarawa and the towns of the plateau and lowlands.
The railway that once carried the region’s tin remains part of its transport heritage, and infrastructure development continues to focus on roads across the sometimes rugged highland terrain.
Connecting the capital to the farming and mining communities of the plateau and the lowland towns to the south remains a continuing priority for the government.
Education and Institutions
Plateau is a major centre of education, home to the University of Jos, one of Nigeria’s respected federal universities, along with the Plateau State University, the National Veterinary Research Institute at Vom, and many colleges and theological institutions.
This strong educational presence, particularly in and around Jos, has long made the state an important centre of learning in northern Nigeria, drawing students from across the country.
Culture and People
Plateau is one of the most culturally diverse states in Nigeria, home to the Berom, Afizere, Anaguta, Ngas, Taroh, Goemai and many other peoples, each with their own language, festivals and traditions. This diversity gives the state a rich and varied cultural life.
Colourful festivals, traditional music and dances, and the crafts of the different communities remain central to local identity, and the cool highland setting has fostered a distinctive plateau culture over generations.
Jos itself, with its museums, its arts scene and its cosmopolitan population, has long been a cultural centre for northern Nigeria, coexisting with the traditions of the many indigenous communities across the state.
Tourism and Landmarks
Plateau is often called the tourism heart of Nigeria, and its attractions reflect this. The Shere Hills, the Kurra Falls, the Assop Falls and the dramatic rock formations of the plateau offer some of the finest highland scenery in the country.
The Jos Wildlife Park, the Jos Museum and the National Museum’s collection, along with the Riyom Rock formations, are among the most popular destinations, combining nature, culture and history.
The cool climate itself is a major draw, along with resorts, gardens and the general highland atmosphere that has made Jos a retreat for generations of visitors.
Together, this combination of hills, waterfalls, wildlife, museums and a temperate climate gives Plateau one of the richest tourism offerings in Nigeria.
Climate
Plateau has a climate unlike most of Nigeria, moderated by its high elevation on the Jos Plateau. Temperatures are noticeably cooler than in the lowlands, and the harmattan season can be genuinely cold, making the state a welcome retreat from the national heat.
The rainy season runs from around April to October, and the cool, well-watered conditions of the plateau support the temperate crops, fruits and vegetables for which the state is known, as well as its lush highland scenery.
Quick Facts About Plateau State
Capital: Jos
Geopolitical Zone: North Central
Postal Code Range: 930001 to 942105
Number of Local government areas: 17
Governor: Caleb Mutfwang
Created: 1976
Also Known As: Home of Peace and Tourism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the zip code for Plateau State?
Plateau State postal codes range from 930001 to 942105. Each local government area and district has its own specific six digit code, so use the tables above to find the exact one for your area.
What is the postal code for Jos?
Jos, the capital, falls under the 930001 to 930211 range.
How many local government areas are in Plateau State?
There are 17 local government areas in Plateau State.
Who is the current governor of Plateau State?
The Governor of Plateau State is Caleb Mutfwang.
What is the capital of Plateau State?
The capital of Plateau State is Jos.
Does every area in Plateau have its own postal code?
Yes. NIPOST assigns six digit codes down to district and street level, which is why a single state wide number is not enough for accurate delivery.
What geopolitical zone is Plateau State in?
Plateau State is located in the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
When was Plateau State created?
Plateau State was created in 1976, and it is today divided into 17 local government areas.
What is Plateau State also known as?
Plateau State is also known as the Home of Peace and Tourism, a name that reflects its identity and heritage.
What is the postal code range for Plateau State?
The postal codes of Plateau State run from 930001 to 942105, covering all 17 of its local government areas and the towns within them.
Do I need a postal code to send mail within Plateau State?
Using the correct postal code helps ensure that mail, parcels and deliveries reach the right district within Plateau State quickly and accurately, and many online forms and delivery services now ask for it.
Summary
In summary, Plateau State is served by postal codes ranging from 930001 to 942105, spread across its 17 local government areas and its many towns, with the capital Jos falling under the 930001 to 930211 range. The tables on this page give the specific code for every local government area and major town, making it easy to find the exact one you need.
How to confirm these postal codes
Nigerian postal codes are administered by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), which assigns a six-digit code to each delivery area. Codes are occasionally revised when local government areas are created, renamed, or reorganised, and a single town can fall under more than one code depending on the delivery district. The codes on this page are compiled from NIPOST listings and state administrative records. If you are addressing official mail or completing a form where the code must be exact, confirm it on the NIPOST website or at your nearest post office.
