YOBE STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
The Pride of the Sahel
Overall pSPI Rank:
19th out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
People & Culture
A Land of Unity and Resilience
Yobe State, located in northeastern Nigeria, also known as “the Pride of the Sahel” is home to diverse ethnic groups, including the Kanuri, Fulani, Hausa, Ngizim, and Bade people. The Kanuri people form the majority, contributing about 70% of the population, with expertise in farming, trading, and craftsmanship. The Fulani are prominent pastoralists, while the Hausa excel in trade and commerce. With about 4 million people spread across 17 LGAs, the state is on a landmass of 45,502 sq. km.
Traditional attire in Yobe varies among ethnic groups, from the Kanuri’s elaborate robes to the Fulani’s. Festivals like the Gani Festival (Kanuri) and Sharo Festival (Fulani) highlight Yobe’s rich traditions. Yobe faces challenges, including insecurity due to insurgencies, the people of Yobe continue to display remarkable resilience, working collectively to rebuild their communities.
Politics
Evolving Leadership and Transitions
Few states in Nigeria are as politically stable as Yobe, where APC has remained dominant for decades. The state is considered one of the party’s most reliable strongholds, with Governor Mai Mala Buni securing re-election in 2023 with little opposition.
Unlike many states with fierce political rivalries, Yobe’s elections are often predictable, with APC consistently securing large victories. This is due in part to a deeply entrenched party structure and strong grassroots support.
While opposition voices exist, they struggle to gain traction in a state where APC’s influence runs deep. Unless a major political shake-up occurs, Yobe will likely remain an APC fortress for the foreseeable future
Economy – Agricultural Powerhouse with Untapped Resources
Agriculture remains the bedrock of Yobe’s economy, employing over 70% of its population. The state is known for its production of millet, sorghum, groundnuts, and cotton. Additionally, Yobe has large livestock populations, making cattle rearing a major economic activity.
The state’s economy benefits from its strategic location, bordering Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, making it a key player in regional trade. Potiskum Market is among the largest in northern Nigeria, serving as a major trade hub.
Yobe’s mineral resources, including uranium, limestone, and gold, present significant economic potential, though extraction remains underdeveloped.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦2,568 |  32nd |
| IGR Per km² | ₦246,027 | 35th |
| IGR Per Mineral Resources | ₦3.7 billion | 25th |
| IGR Per Trade Route | ₦2.8 billion | 34th |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 11% | 28th |
What this means:
The state’s revenue generation remains weak, with low internally generated revenue (IGR) per capita (32nd) and per square kilometer (35th), indicating limited economic activity and tax efficiency. Despite having some mineral resources, revenue from this sector ranks 25th nationally, suggesting underutilisation. Additionally, IGR contributes just 11% to total revenue (28th), highlighting heavy dependence on federal allocations. With trade route-related revenue ranking 34th, the state’s commercial potential remains largely untapped, pointing to the need for stronger economic diversification and investment in business-friendly policies.
pSPI Performance - Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Strong Agricultural Base: Over 70% of the population is engaged in farming and livestock rearing.
Strategic Trade Location: Yobe serves as a commercial link to neighboring countries.
Healthcare Workforce: Ranks 2nd in public health workers per population.
Weaknesses
Low IGR Contribution: Ranked 32nd in IGR per capita.
Debt Management: Ranks 15th in debt per capita.
Public Services Gaps: Ranks 30th in basic education facilities and 22nd in public hospitals per population.
Citizen Satisfaction - Public Opinion
Despite notable achievements, residents still face several challenges:
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 22nd | 33% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 22nd | 27% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 14th | 33% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 28th | 18% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 16th | 48% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 14th | 30% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 13th | 35% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 18th | 14% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programmes | 29th | 18% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 24th | 15% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 17th | 24% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 21st | 23% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 32nd | 23% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 11th | 36% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 11th | 27% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 13th | 24% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
Borno State
Cultural similarity and business opportunities
Kano State
Economic potential and trade hub
Kaduna State
Industrial development and infrastructure
Bauchi State
Proximity and better living conditions
FCT Abuja
Improved governance and job opportunities
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Yobe State
Insecurity, underdevelopment
Kano State
Overcrowding, political tension
Borno State
Security concerns
Kaduna State
Political instability and rising insecurity
FCT Abuja
High cost of living
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
Engagement with local government structures in Yobe remains moderate, reflecting a national pattern of limited grassroots visibility
do not know their local government chairman.
unaware of projects at the LGA level
unaware of socioeconomic programmes
This shows a need for improved communication and more participatory development planning.Â
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Potiskum (30%), Bede (16%), Damaturu (13%), Nguru (11%).
Citizens’ Recommendations - What the People Want
210 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Create Jobs and Train Youth: Citizens called for job opportunities and vocational training. Many suggested expanding skills acquisition programmes, offering small business grants, and promoting agricultural value chain jobs to retain youths in the state.
- Enhance Service Quality in Education and Health: While affordability is praised, citizens desire better-trained teachers, regular school inspections, and well-stocked clinics. Incentivising rural healthcare deployment and teacher retention in hard-to-reach areas was a common suggestion.
- Increase Transparency and Accountability: Requests were made for open budget forums, community townhalls, and monitoring systems to track projects and reduce corruption.
- Improve Environmental Sanitation and Waste Disposal: Citizens requested the provision of waste bins, routine sanitation exercises, and fines for poor waste disposal practices in markets and public places.
- Empower Local Businesses: Respondents noted poor support for small businesses. They recommended market infrastructure upgrades, SME tax breaks, and local sourcing initiatives to make it easier for traders and entrepreneurs to thrive.
pSPI Recommendations - Action Plan for Yobe
Based on the pSPI data and citizen feedback, Yobe urgently needs to:
- Improve Employment Opportunities and Economic Access: Yobe performs well in employment ranking (6th), but citizen satisfaction is low with job availability. This suggests a perception gap. Government should enhance communication of existing opportunities, expand youth empowerment schemes, and support MSMEs with startup capital and market access.
- Capitalise on Affordability in Basic Services: Yobe ranks highly in affordability in education and in healthcare. However, quality remains a concern. The state should now focus on improving the quality of service delivery, especially in rural areas, by investing in teacher training and medical personnel.
- Strengthen Public Communication and Engagement: Yobe needs to enhance visibility of government programmes. Strategies should include using local media channels, community influencers, and town hall meetings in local languages to increase awareness.
- Boost Trust in Governance and Institutions: Yobe ranks 15th in perception of public servants and 12th in law enforcement satisfaction. Still, 21% say they’re very dissatisfied with public servants, and 19% with police conduct. Public-facing reforms, such as complaint hotlines, reward-based transparency programmes, and community policing, could help regain trust.
- Address Environmental and Infrastructure Concerns: Despite ranking excellent in water supply, the cleanliness of the environment ranks poorly. The government should launch a state-wide sanitation campaign, establish waste management partnerships, and improve waste disposal infrastructure, especially in urban LGAs.
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Yobe State 2025
is at a pivotal stage. With targeted reforms in governance, economic diversification, and improved service delivery, Yobe can harness its full potential to create a thriving and sustainable future for its people.