Jos Plateau Plateau

The Jos Plateau is an upland region in central Nigeria centred on the city of Jos. It is an elevated tableland known for a cooler temperate climate, wooded hills and distinct rock outcrops compared with the surrounding savannah.

The landscape includes granite inselbergs, rolling hills and pockets of montane vegetation; places such as the Shere Hills immediately above Jos are locally popular for short hikes and scenic viewpoints. The plateau supported significant tin-mining activity from the colonial era into the 20th century, which influenced the region’s economy and settlement patterns.

Geographically the plateau occupies central Nigeria within Plateau State and forms a distinct highland island in the country’s interior; the city of Jos is the principal urban centre on the plateau.

• Elevation and climate: Average elevation of the plateau is around 1,200 metres, producing a notably cooler climate compared with surrounding lowland areas.
• Mining legacy: The plateau has a long history of tin mining and quarrying that shaped local settlement and economy during the 20th century.

What to See#

• Shere Hills: A band of rocky, wooded ridges and escarpments near the city of Jos that are popular for hiking, day trips and local rock-climbing activity.

Jos Plateau is the upland area surrounding the city of Jos in central Nigeria. Fly to Jos (Yakubu Gowon Airport, JOS) from Abuja or Lagos, or drive into Jos by road; once in Jos the plateau and its viewpoints are reached by short local drives (typically a few kilometres) from the city centre or by taxi from Jos bus stations.

• Visit in the dry season (roughly November-March) and aim for early morning for clearer views and cooler conditions-the plateau's mist and cloud cover are more common in the rainy months and can obscure scenery.
• Base yourself in Jos city and approach major sights (Shere Hills, nearby waterfalls and viewpoints) via the main paved roads out of Jos; avoid attempting remote unpaved tracks after rains when they become impassable.
• Plan visits with current security information and local guidance-Plateau State has had periodic unrest, so check official travel advisories and local contacts before traveling to remote parts of the plateau.