Yobe State is located in northeastern Nigeria. A mainly agricultural state, it was created on 27 August 1991 after being carved out of Borno State. The capital city is Damaturu, while Potiskum is the largest city by population, and Fune is the largest by land area.
Potiskum LGA hosts the largest cattle market in Africa, serving as a major hub for farmers and traders.
Geography
Borders:
- East: Borno State (≈421 km)
- South: Gombe State (≈140 km, along Gongola River)
- Southwest: Bauchi State (≈188 km)
- West: Jigawa State (≈193 km)
- North: Republic of Niger (≈352 km), bordering Diffa and Zinder Regions
Location: Mostly within the dry savanna belt; southern areas receive slightly higher rainfall.
Climate
- Average daily temperature: 37 °C (98.6 °F)
- Sunniest month: November
- Rainy season: August to December
History
- Creation: 27 August 1991, under General Ibrahim Babangida.
- Reason: Old Borno State was too large for effective administration and had ethnic tensions.
- Recent Incidents:
- 3 September 2024: Islamic State militants attacked a village, killing 130 villagers accused of collaborating with the military.
Boko Haram Insurgency
- State of Emergency: Declared on 14 May 2013 along with Borno and Adamawa States.
- Boko Haram leader: Abubakar Shekau, born in Shekau village, Yobe.
- Major Attacks:
- Damaturu (Nov 2011, Dec 2011, June 2012)
- Gadaka (Dec 2011)
- Potiskum (Dec 2012, Nov 2014, July 2015)
- Mamudo (July 2013)
- Gujba (Sept 2013)
- Buni Yadi (Feb & May 2014)
- Dapchi (2018)
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Yobe State has 17 LGAs, including:
Bade, Bursari, Damaturu, Fika, Fune, Geidam, Gujba, Gulani, Jakusko, Karasuwa, Machina, Nangere, Nguru, Potiskum, Tarmuwa, Yunusari, Yusufari.
Economy
- Agriculture: Major products include gum arabic, groundnuts, beans, cotton.
- Livestock: Potiskum hosts one of West Africa’s largest cattle markets.
- Minerals: Gypsum, kaolin, trona.
Governor
- Mai Mala Buni (APC) – 29 May 2019 – Present
- Deputy Governor: Idi Barde Gubana
Ethnic Groups
- Major: Kanuri, Kare-Kare, Fulani
- Others: Bolewa, Ngizim, Bade, Ngamo, Shuwa, Bura, Marghi, Hausa, Manga
Languages
- Widely spoken: Kanuri, Hausa, Fulfulde
- Others: Duwai, Shuwa Arabic, Zarma
Tourist Attractions
- Gooya Valley
- Ngazargamu (Historic site)
- Dagona Birds Sanctuary
- Gujba Forest Reserve
- Dufuna Canoe (prehistoric find)
Education
Tertiary institutions include:
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Potiskum
- Federal Polytechnic Damaturu
- Federal University, Gashua
- Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic
- Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, Damaturu
- Umar Suleiman College of Education
- Yobe State University
- College of Agriculture, Gujba
Transport
Highways:
- A3 (Trans-Sahel Highway): Bauchi → Potiskum → Damaturu → Borno
- A338: Gombe → Fika → Potiskum
Road to Niger: Nguru–Gashua–Geidam → Maine-Soroa (Niger)
- Railway: Western Line (1067 mm Cape gauge) terminates at Nguru
- Airstrip: Potiskum Airstrip
Religion
- Majority: Muslim (Sharia law since 2000)
- Minority: Christian communities; no Catholic diocese seat in the state
Politics
- System: Modified two-round electoral system
- State organs: Governor & Executive Council, State House of Assembly
Natural Resources
- Minerals: Trona, gypsum
- Agriculture: Groundnuts, cotton, gum arabic
Healthcare
- Policies: Free-drug policy, decentralized drug supply, and ongoing renovation of primary health facilities.
Environmental Concerns
- Desertification threatens livelihoods and agriculture in northern LGAs.
Notable People
- Uwani Musa Abba Aji (Supreme Court Justice)
- Mai Mala Buni (Current Governor)
- Ahmed Lawan (Senate President, 9th National Assembly)
- Usman Alkali Baba (Inspector-General of Police)
- Bukar Ibrahim (Former Governor & Senator)
- Imrana Alhaji Buba (Activist, Queen’s Young Leader Award)
- Mahmoud Bukar Maina (Scientist & Educator)