Yobe State is leaving no stone unturned in leveraging the rapid restoration of security from the about 16 years of Boko Haram and Islamic State – West Africa Province, ISWAP, terror to redesign and reconstruct the economy of the state towards full recovery and sustainable prosperity.
As a most-critical foundation, the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led administration, over the last six years, embarked on the comprehensive design and construction of a statewide network of rural roads to open access in and out of rural communities and ease the commercial transactions required for economic resuscitation.
The aim is to enable the essentially agrarian communities mix and mingle for post-harvest and year-round commercial dealings through safe and smooth rural access roads with ease.
With relative peace, Yobe is on path of transformation – Buni
The governor delivered a powerful message of renewal, declaring that a state once ranked among the worst-hit by Boko Haram has now achieved relative peace and is firmly on the path of transformation.
Buni recalled that the very area where they stood was once under the control of terrorists—a stark reminder of Yobe’s painful past. Today, he said, the story has changed.
According to the governor, Yobe’s recovery did not happen by chance but through a deliberate, comprehensive and multi-sectoral strategy adopted after more than a decade of insurgency.
“The recovery must be approached through a comprehensive multi-sectoral strategy. That is why we have given attention to all sectors of development,” he explained.
Buni said that he gave journalists the opportunity to witness firsthand the return of peace and the administration’s “modest but meaningful achievements” across the state.
He stressed that his administration remains committed to accountability and impact, ensuring value for money in every intervention while steadily upgrading communities long battered by conflict.
“Today, you can see the transformation—peace has returned, and we are steadily upgrading and developing our communities, restoring hope to our people,” he explained.
BusinessDay reports that the projects and programmes cut across many sectors, including enhancing the security of lives and promoting the health of the people, empowerment, among others.
With the completion of a state-of-the-art four sesame processing factories in Machina, Nguru, Potiskum, and Damaturu, Yobe is positioning itself as a pivotal player in Nigeria’s agribusiness.
Those familiar with the happenings in Yobe have explained that it is part of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s comprehensive vision to free the state from the grip of poverty and set it on the path to prosperity.
Recently, BusinessDay took a trip to parts of Yobe to see some of the silent revolutions of the Mai Mala Buni administration, and one of the ports of call was the Sesame Cleaning, Processing and Packaging factories, which are located in Machina, Nguru, Damaturu and Potiskum Local Government of Yobe State, which are renowned for their mass production of sesame and cereals.
“The factory is conceived in line with the policy and programmes of Governor Buni which involves industrialising the state,” Abdullahi Bego, the state commissioner for Home Affairs, Information, and Culture, said.
According to him, “These sesame factories are located in four different locations: Machina, Nguru, Potiskum, and Damaturu.
“The sesame factories are expected to process and package sesame at an impressive rate of six tonnes per hour. This initiative not only aims to serve the local populace but also to generate substantial revenue for the state.”
He highlighted the state’s readiness to attract both direct and indirect investments in sesame seed production and processing, along with other agricultural products such as Gum Arabic and other agricultural products.
“For us to achieve this feat after the protracted security challenge spurs our government to do more,” Buni said, reflecting on Yobe’s ranking as the 9th state with ease of doing business in Nigeria. “This shows that Yobe State is moving fast and becoming a very business-friendly state.”
He further emphasized the state’s commitment to improving security, infrastructure, and business incentives to foster a more conducive environment for trade and commerce.
The international community has not been overlooked in these efforts. Governor Buni has been actively engaging with global partners to explore the potential in sesame seeds, Gum Arabic, and livestock production.
Local market to restore livelihoods, stimulate economic growth – Locals
However, the Boko-Haram terrorists and their rival Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) not only maimed and abducted but also took away peace; it also paralysed all socio-economic activities, commerce and livelihoods and forced entire communities to survive on handouts.
For more than a decade, insecurity grounded Yobe’s economy and markets, once the heartbeat of social and economic life, traders lost capital, markets were halted, abandoned, or shut down due to continuous attacks from the outlawed groups.
The bold steps to reopening of local and modern markets is now changing that reality. These markets are not just structures. They are lifelines that return people to work, rebuild confidence, and allow communities to plan beyond waiting for humanitarian assistance.
Governor Buni has given the traders hope especially those at the grassroots level which will ultimately translates into economy rebirth across the state.
Traders and residents believe this initiative will reduce long-distance travel for buying and selling, money, and keep economic activity within local communities especially night markets in most of the communities are now active.
At the Yunusari’s modern market, excitement is visible on faces and in voices. Alhaji Abubakar, a trader from Shettimari Manmadurin village, described the moment as historic and dreams come through in their life’s times.
“This market will benefit everyone, not just traders,” he said, as buyers moved between the new stalls. We have, which is a long-term economic business here, but we have never seen anything like this before.”
Another trader recalled how the old market, though crowded with over twenty thousand traders on market days, was small, exposed, and poorly organised.
Yunusari’s close to Niger Republic gives it regional importance.
“People come here from Niger to buy food items and livestock. We export grains like millet and guinea corn. This market is boosting trade with neighbouring countries again. Now we have one’s life here, all kinds of business can be done comfortably, this is what we have been praying for,” he added.
Yunus Kundir, speaking for residents of Yunusari, described the project as a turning point for the area.
“This market is a great development. We are very thankful. Our community will benefit a great deal,” he said.
According to him, the ripple effects will be wide. Youths will find jobs. Families will earn more income. Communities once forgotten will regain relevance.
“The movement of goods and services will enhance our economic, these markets are about jobs, dignity, and quality of life.”
Unlike the old open markets, the new facilities are built for efficiency and expansion. They include modern shops, abattoirs, administrative offices, water facilities, and large parking spaces that can accommodate hundreds of vehicles.
The impact of these developments is palpable among local farmers. Musa Abba, a sesame farmer in Machina, expressed renewed optimism with the establishment of the sesame factory.
“With the establishment of a sesame processing factory, our interest in sesame farming has doubled, and many of us are returning to it more than ever before,” Musa said.
“Today, they are now happier than ever because they are confident, they can make profits. Previously, buyers would exploit us by offering low prices for our products, citing the poor quality of the seeds.
However, the situation has changed, for example, and we most sincerely thank Governor Mai Mala Buni for thinking about the plight of the poor farmers in the state.”
Abba’s experience underscores the transformative effect of the new sesame factories.
“I used to cultivate and harvest between 30 and 40 bags of sesame seeds annually.”
After processing, I now yield as many as 15 to 20 bags. Previously, buyers would purchase our products at around N30,000 per bag. However, with our processing factory, we can now determine the price ourselves,” he explained, highlighting the newfound economic empowerment among local farmers.
Out of the five built across the state, five are ultra-modern in Damaturu, Potiskum, Gashua, Nguru, and Geidam, while four modern markets are in Ngalda, Yunusari, Machina, and Buni Yadi.
Yobe is safe for investors – Bego
Abdullahi Bego, commissioner for Home Affairs, explained that the markets will boost internally generated revenue and position Yobe as a strong player in regional agricultural and livestock trade.
A key player in this revival is Governor Mai Mala Buni, whose administration has focused on rebuilding both infrastructure and public confidence.
By reopening markets once silenced by fear, the government is betting on prosperity as the strongest shield against instability.
As traders return, stalls fill up, and foreign buyers reappear, Yobe’s markets are once again doing what they have always done best, bringing people together, creating wealth, and turning hardship into opportunity.
Speaking on employment opportunities and wealth creation for youths in Yobe State, the governor said that sesame processing factories were being built to boost the investment and economy of the State in such a way that the gross domestic product of the State would be boosted.
He said, “The government’s initiatives are not just about improving agricultural output but to ensure the state get value for the farms produced. The Mai Mala Buni initiative is also about creating a sustainable economic ecosystem that benefits local farmers and attracts investment.
“These initiatives will certainly open up our economy for investors to come, invest and partner with the government. As you can all see it, our communities are safe and secured.”
