France Selects Plateau Governor’s Aide For 2026 Future Leaders Programme

The French Government has selected Manji Wilson, an aide to Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for the prestigious 2026 Future Leaders Invitation Programme.

Wilson, who serves as the chief technical adviser on Development Partnerships, Strategic Linkages and Diaspora Engagements to the governor, was selected as Nigeria’s sole representative for the 2026 edition of the Programme d’Invitation des Personnalités d’Avenir (PIPA), a flagship leadership initiative organised by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.                 The programme, facilitated through the Embassy of France, is aimed at strengthening strategic engagement between France and emerging African leaders driving reforms in governance, diplomacy, innovation, enterprise and sustainable development. His selection is being viewed as a boost to Plateau State’s growing international profile and an endorsement of the state government’s efforts to attract development partnerships and global investment opportunities.

The Future Leaders Invitation Programme brings together policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics and reformers from Africa and France who have demonstrated leadership, institutional impact and commitment to international cooperation.

Wilson’s participation is expected to provide opportunities for deeper engagement within European diplomatic, policy and investment circles, while also opening new windows for strategic partnerships in innovation, agriculture, education, technology and enterprise development.

As chief technical adviser to the governor, Wilson coordinates high-level engagements to mobilise development partnerships, attract investments, strengthen diaspora participation, and advance collaborations aligned with Plateau State’s economic transformation agenda.

He has also played advisory and coordination roles in engagements between the Plateau State Government and several bilateral, multilateral and international development institutions across Europe and Africa. Before joining the Plateau State government, Wilson had over a decade of experience supporting democratic governance and institutional strengthening programmes, including assignments under European Union-backed governance initiatives in Nigeria and Kenya. Observers say the development further reinforces Plateau State Government’s drive to expand credible international partnerships capable of promoting economic growth, institutional development, youth empowerment and sustainable prosperity in the state.