Yobe State

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State of Nigeria

title: "Yobe State" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["yobe-state", "states-and-territories-established-in-1991", "states-of-nigeria", "1991-establishments-in-nigeria"] description: "State of Nigeria" topic_path: "geography/nigeria" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yobe_State" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary State of Nigeria ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
name
typeState
image_skylineOasis amid the Sahel in Yobe State Nigeria.jpg
image_captionTulo Tulo, also known as 'The Desert Land of Hope', is a marshy oasis situated in a low valley in Yusufari on the fringe of the Sahara desert.
image_flagYobe_State_Flag.png
flag_altFlag of Yobe State
flag_size120px
image_sealYobe State Government.png
seal_altSeal of Yobe State
nicknamePride of the Sahel
image_mapNigeria Yobe State map.png
map_captionLocation of Yobe State in Nigeria
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameNigeria
established_titleDate created
established_date27 August 1991
seat_typeCapital
seatDamaturu
governing_bodyGovernment of Yobe State
leader_partyAPC
leader_titleGovernor
(List)
leader_nameMai Mala Buni
leader_title1Deputy Governor
leader_name1Idi Barde Gubana (APC)
leader_title2Legislature
leader_name2Yobe State House of Assembly
leader_title3Senators
leader_name3E: Musa Mustapha (APC)
N: Ahmed Lawan (APC)
S: Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai (APC)
leader_title4Representatives
leader_name4List
unit_prefMetric
area_total_km245,502
area_rank6th of 36
population_total2,321,339
population_as_of2006 census
population_est3,649,600
pop_est_as_of2022
population_rank32nd of 36
population_density_km2auto
demographics_type1GDP (PPP)
demographics1_title1Year
demographics1_info12021
demographics1_title2Total
demographics1_info2$7.05 billion
36th of 36
demographics1_title3Per capita
demographics1_info3$1,797
35th of 36
timezone1WAT
utc_offset1+01
postal_code_typepostal code
postal_code620001
area_code+234
iso_codeNG-YO
blank_name_sec1HDI (2022)
blank_info_sec10.439
· 31st of 37
website
native_name_langKanuri, Yerwa Kanuri, Hausa, Bolewa, Bade, Fulfulde, Karai-karai, Ngamo, Manga, Ngizim, Bura-Pabir, Maka, Shuwa Arab, Duwai.
::

| name = Yobe | official_name = | type = State | image_skyline = Oasis amid the Sahel in Yobe State Nigeria.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Tulo Tulo, also known as 'The Desert Land of Hope', is a marshy oasis situated in a low valley in Yusufari on the fringe of the Sahara desert. | image_flag = Yobe_State_Flag.png | flag_alt = Flag of Yobe State | flag_size = 120px | image_seal = Yobe State Government.png | seal_alt = Seal of Yobe State | nickname = Pride of the Sahel | image_map = Nigeria Yobe State map.png | map_alt = | map_caption = Location of Yobe State in Nigeria | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Nigeria | established_title = Date created | established_date = 27 August 1991 | seat_type = Capital | seat = Damaturu | government_footnotes = | governing_body = Government of Yobe State | leader_party = APC | leader_title = Governor (List) | leader_name = Mai Mala Buni | leader_title1 = Deputy Governor | leader_name1 = Idi Barde Gubana (APC) | leader_title2 = Legislature | leader_name2 = Yobe State House of Assembly | leader_title3 = Senators | leader_name3 = E: Musa Mustapha (APC) N: Ahmed Lawan (APC) S: Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai (APC) | leader_title4 = Representatives | leader_name4 = List | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 45,502 | area_rank = 6th of 36 | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = | population_total = 2,321,339 | population_as_of = 2006 census | population_est = 3,649,600 | pop_est_as_of = 2022 | population_rank = 32nd of 36 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_note = | demographics_type1 = GDP (PPP) | demographics1_footnotes = | demographics1_title1 = Year | demographics1_info1 = 2021 | demographics1_title2 = Total | demographics1_info2 = $7.05 billion 36th of 36 | demographics1_title3 = Per capita | demographics1_info3 = $1,797 35th of 36 | timezone1 = WAT | utc_offset1 = +01 | postal_code_type = postal code | postal_code = 620001 | area_code_type = | area_code = +234 | iso_code = NG-YO | blank_name_sec1 = HDI (2022) | blank_info_sec1 = 0.439 · 31st of 37 | website = | footnotes = | native_name_lang = Kanuri, Yerwa Kanuri, Hausa, Bolewa, Bade, Fulfulde, Karai-karai, Ngamo, Manga, Ngizim, Bura-Pabir, Maka, Shuwa Arab, Duwai. Yobe is a state located in northeastern Nigeria. A mainly agricultural state, it was created on 27 August 1991. Yobe State was carved out of Borno State. The capital of Yobe State is Damaturu, and its largest city by population is Potiskum, while the largest by land area is Fune. The Potiskum local government area is a place of farmers and marketers; one of the largest cattle market in Africa is located in Potiskum.

Geography

The state borders four states: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and Jigawa. Yobe State shares borders with Borno State to the east for about 421 km, Gombe State to the south for 140 km (in the vicinity of Gongola River), Bauchi State for 188 km (117 miles) and Jigawa State for 193 km (120 miles) to the west and the Republic of Niger to the north for about 352 km. It borders to the north the Diffa and Zinder Regions of Niger. Because the state lies mainly in the dry savanna belt, conditions are hot and dry for most of the year, except in the southern part of the state which has more annual rainfall. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Nguru_River_bank_Yobe_State.jpg" caption="Nguru River bank Yobe State"] ::

Climate

The climate condition of Yobe is warm with daily temperature of 37 °C. November being the sunniest month and rainy day is between August and December.

History

Yobe State came into being on 27 August 1991. It was carved out of the old Borno State by the Babangida administration. Yobe State was created because the old Borno State was one of Nigeria's largest states in terms of land area and was therefore considered to be too large for easy administration and meaningful development. Ethnic rivalries within the old Borno State also contributed to the decision."Yobe State", Online Nigeria, Accessed here on 3 August 2007.

On 3 September 2024, Islamic State militants attacked a village in Yobe State, killing at least 130 villagers accused of collaborating with the Nigerian military.

Boko Haram

On 14 May 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Yobe State along with nearby Borno and Adamawa States, due to the jihadist terrorist network Boko Haram's insurgency. Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau was born in Shekau village of Yobe.

Boko Haram's attacks in Yobe include those in Damaturu in November 2011, December 2011 and June 2012, Gadaka in December 2011, Potiskum in December 2012, November 2014 and July 2015, Mamudo in July 2013, Gujba in September 2013, Buni Yadi in February and May 2014 and Dapchi in 2018.

Local Government Areas

Yobe State consists of 17 local government areas (or LGAs). They are:

Economy

While Yobe state is an agricultural state, it also has rich mineral deposits, including gypsum and kaolin in Fune local government and very rich agricultural resources as well. The State's agricultural produce include gum arabic, groundnuts, beans, and cotton. The State also has one of the largest cattle markets in West Africa, located in Potiskum.

The state’s economy is also supported by financial services, including Yobe Microfinance Bank, a state-licensed microfinance institution that provides loans and financial products to individuals and small businesses. Dr. Sheriff Almuhajir serves as the bank’s Managing Director, a position he holds while the bank participates in state-supported economic initiatives such as agricultural loan programs approved by Governor Mai Mala Buni.{{cite news |title=Gov Buni approves N500m agric loan for 4,000 teachers |work=Pulse Nigeria |date=26 July 2024 |url=https://www.pulse.ng/articles/local/buni-approves-n500m-agric-loan-for-4000-teachers-2024072608165911703 |access-date=27 December 2025

Governor

On 29 May 2019, Mai Mala Buni assumed office as the governor of Yobe State under the Party APC (All Progressive Congress) and Idi Barde Gubana is the Deputy-Gorvenor of the state.

Ethnic groups

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Kanuri_girl.jpg" caption="Kanuri girl sitting behind a decorated wall"] ::

The major ethnic groups living in Yobe state are the Kanuri and Karai-karai, Fulani, while other ethnic communities include Bolewa, Ngizim, Bade, Ngamo, Shuwa, Bura, Marghi, Hausa and Manga.

Languages

Languages of Yobe State listed by LGA:

::data[format=table]

LGALanguages
BadeBade, Duwai, Kanuri
BursariKanuri
DamaturuYerwa Kanuri/kare-kare
FikaKarai-karai, Bolewa Ngamo
FuneKarai-karai, Ngizim, Bura-Pabir
GeidamKanuri, Fulani
GujbaKanuri, Karai-karai
GulaniMaaka, Karai-karai, Bura-Pabir, Kanuri
JakuskoBade, Fulani, Karai-karai
MachinaManga
NangereKarai-karai
NguruKanuri
YunusariKanuri
YusufariKanuri
KarasuwaKanuri
PotiskumKarai-karai, Ngizim, Bolewa
::

Other languages of Yobe State are Duwai, Shuwa Arabs, and Zarma etc.

Tourist attractions

The tourist attractions sites in Yobe state include:

Education

Tertiary institutions in Yobe state include:

Transport

Federal highways

One road to [[Niger]]

The Nguru–Gashua–Damask road across the north of the state via Baiomari and Geidem to Maine-Soroa.

Other major roads

  • the Gamawa Rd northwest from Potiskum to Bauchi State at Zindiwa,
  • the Jakusko-Potiskum Rd north from Potiskum, where the Gashua-Jakusko Rd continues north via Katamma,
  • the Dapchi-Damaturu Rd north from via Dapchi to Baiomari as the Damaturu-Gashua Rd,
  • the Damaturu Rd south to Borno State at Kamuya Wuru,
  • the Azare-Potisum Rd west to Bauchi State near Lele.

Railways

The 1067 mm Cape gauge Western Railway Line northeast from Kano via Jigawa State terminates at Nguru.

Airports

Potiskum Airstrip

Religion

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Central_mosque_01.jpg" caption="Central Mosque Damaturu"] ::

The inhabitants of Yobe are mainly Muslims and Sharia law was established in the state in 2000 by Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim. However, there are Christians in the State although no Roman Catholic diocese has its seat in the state.

Politics

The state government is headed by a Governor who is elected through a democratically process. The Governor works closely with the State House of Assembly, which is the law-making arm in the state.

Just like every other state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the electoral system of Yobe State is that of a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two -third of the State local government Areas. If no candidate passes this threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government areas.

Natural resources

Yobe State has deposits of trona and gypsum.

Healthcare

The state's administration has improved healthcare delivery lifted a moratorium on hiring and provided incentives for staff retention. The free-drugs policy and decentralised drug supply have increased access to healthcare, underscoring the state's dedication to renovating and building new primary healthcare facilities to make healthcare more widely available and reasonably priced.

Desertification

Residents of Yobe State in Northern Nigeria are worried about desertification because it could have a negative impact on their quality of life.

Notable people

  • Uwani Musa Abba Aji - CFR (born 7 November 1956) is a Nigerian Jurist and Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
  • Usman Albishir - (15 June 1945 – 2 July 2012) former senator and Senate Minority Leader
  • Mamman Bello Ali - (1958 – 26 January 2009) former senator Yobe Zone B and former governor of Yobe State.
  • Idris Alkali - former chief of administration, army headquarters
  • Usman Alkali Baba (born 1 March 1963) current Nigerian inspector-general of police
  • Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai - (born 10 February 1960) a politician and the Senator representing Yobe South Senatorial District in the 9th National Assembly
  • Imrana Alhaji Buba - (born 6 August 1992) activist, social entrepreneur, recipient of Queen's Young Leader Award
  • Audu Bulama Bukarti - (1 January 1984) senior analyst in the Extremism Policy Unit of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
  • Mai Mala Buni - (born 11 November 1967) politician and the current Governor of Yobe State
  • Goni Modu Bura - former deputy governor, former senator, and current ambassador of Nigeria to Syria and Lebanon
  • Adamu Ciroma - (born 20 November 1934) former Minister and Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria
  • Mala Mohammed Daura - Vice Chancellor, Yobe State University, Damaturu.
  • Ibrahim Gaidam - former governor and now Senator for Yobe Zone A
  • Buba Galadima - politician and National Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change(CPC) party
  • Bukar Ibrahim - (born October 1950) former governor of Yobe State and Senator in Nigeria
  • Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim - (born 6 January 1967) member of the House of Representatives and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
  • Waziri Ibrahim - first republic minister and presidential candidate of GNPP in the second republic
  • Abubakar Garba Iliya, hydrogeologist and former Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Yobe State
  • Alwali Kazir - former chief of army staff
  • Ahmed Lawan - senator and Senate President of the 9th National Assembly
  • Zakariya Maimalari - a brigadier-general, who was killed in the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état while commanding the 2nd Brigade, Apapa, Lagos
  • Mahmoud Bukar Maina - (born 21 August 1986) a scientist, educator and science communicator
  • Mamman Mohammed - medical doctor
  • Adamu Garba Talba - a politician and former senator Yobe south
  • Fatima Talba - a politician, former commissioner and member House of Representatives
  • Adamu Waziri - (born 14 September 1952) former minister of Police Affairs

References

References

  1. "2006 PHC Priority Tables – NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISSION".
  2. "Yobe State: Subdivision".
  3. (13 October 2022). "State of States 2022 Edition". BudgIT.
  4. "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab".
  5. "Yobe State of Nigeria :: Nigeria Information & Guide".
  6. "Climate: Yobe in Nigeria".
  7. (September 3, 2024). "Boko Haram militants on motorcycles attacked a Nigerian village, killing over 100, residents say". [[Associated Press]].
  8. "Nigeria declares state of emergency". BBC News.
  9. (15 May 2013). "Nigeria declares 'massive' military campaign on borders". [[BBC News]].
  10. Jones, Chika. (6 September 2016). "See the 5 cheapest cattle markets you can buy your ram for Eid-el-Kabir".
  11. (30 May 2019). "For The Record: Full text of Yobe governor's inaugural speech {{!}} Premium Times Nigeria".
  12. TODAY. (3 February 2022). "Official: Insurgency claims 167 students, 3 teachers in Yobe".
  13. "Yobe State {{!}} Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries".
  14. "The Yobe Languages Research Project".
  15. "Nigeria". Ethnologue.
  16. Blog, Real Mina. (4 March 2019). "List of Courses in Federal College Of Education, Potiskum (FCEPOTISKUM)".
  17. (9 November 2020). "List of Courses Offered by Federal Polytechnic Damaturu".
  18. "Official List of Courses Offered in Federal University Gashua (FUGASHUA) - Myschool".
  19. Academy, Samphina. (15 June 2019). "List of Courses Offered in Mai-Idris Alooma Polytechnic".
  20. Usman, Shehu. (2023-10-14). "Gov Buni approves employment of 158 community nurses".
  21. "USCOEGA".
  22. Commonwealth Secretariat. (1 January 2001). "An Analysis of University Courses Offered through AVU Satellite".
  23. Oguntola, Tunde. (27 September 2022). "2023: Next President, Govs Must Get Two-thirds Spread, Says INEC". [[Leadership (newspaper).
  24. (8 September 2020). "Experts: 18 mineral resources untapped in Yobe {{!}} The Nation Newspaper".
  25. Hemba, Joe. (2023-01-01). "Yobe rebuilding primary healthcare centres after Boko Haram carnage".
  26. Idowu, Kayode. (2022-06-29). "Yobe unveils free healthcare scheme for poor, vulnerable residents".
  27. (2022-07-18). "Yobe enrols 50,000 vulnerable residents in healthcare scheme".
  28. Musa, Aliyu. (2022-06-23). "Desertification: Yobe Residents Overwhelmed By Sand Storms, As State Government Strengthens Plans For Preventive Measures". [[Leadership (newspaper).
  29. (14 February 2021). "A Woman's Focus On Desertification In Yobe State - Daily Trust".
  30. (2021-08-23). "UN, Yobe distribute 3m tree seedlings to fight desertification".
  31. Jonathan, Zovoe. (2018-10-17). "Supreme Court nominee, Abba-Aji, has no corruption case - NJC".
  32. Mohammed, Saraki. (2019-02-06). "Yobe 2019: Albishir's supporters endorse Mala Buni".
  33. Abimbola, Oluwakemi. (2018-10-31). "UPDATED: Army finds body of missing General Alkali".
  34. Ejekwonyilo, Ameh. (2023-05-28). "Court sacks Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba".
  35. Usman, Shehu. (2023-04-15). "INEC declares APC's Bomai winner of Yobe South Senatorial election".
  36. Sesan. (2017-12-10). "Age is not a limit to making a difference –Imrana Alhaji Buba".
  37. (2022-03-16). "Human rights activist, Bulama Bukarti, now eligible to practise law in UK".
  38. Sulaimon, Adekunle. (2023-11-19). "Yobe gov escapes death as B'Haram members attack convoy".
  39. "BREAKING: Adamu Ciroma, Ex-CBN Governor And Ex-Finance Minister, Dies At 84 {{!}} Sahara Reporters".
  40. Ogundapo, Abdulqudus. (2023-12-20). "Senate declares Umahi, Gaidam's seats vacant".
  41. Iniobong, Iwok. (2023-06-27). "Buba Galadima: Why we don't believe in presidential election tribunal".
  42. Usman, Samson Atekojo. (2019-03-29). "Yobe senator, Bukar Ibrahim retires from Senate committees".
  43. Musa, Aisha. (2023-07-23). "Khadija Bukar, Fatima da jerin mata 17 da ke majalisar dokokin tarayya ta 10".
  44. (2023-07-20). "Meet Dr Garba Iliya, NEDC Executive Director, Administration & Finance". Neptune Prime.
  45. Majeed, Bakare. (2023-06-01). "10th NASS: Why I'll not run for Senate President - Lawan".
  46. (2017-06-26). "Book on Brigadier Maimalari killed in 1966 coup for presentation -".
  47. Usman, Shehu. (2022-07-06). "Yobe APC loses bigwig, Senator Talba to PDP".

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yobe-statestates-and-territories-established-in-1991states-of-nigeria1991-establishments-in-nigeria