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 by the largest by land area is Fune, Potiskum Local Government Area is a place of Farmers and marketers, 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.

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. 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.

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

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

Languages

Languages of Yobe State listed by LGA: 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

Railways

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

Airports

Potiskum Airstrip

Religion

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