Yobe Executive Council Approves N73.3bn for Agriculture, Roads, Housing, Markets, Empowerment

By: Michael Mike

The Yobe State Executive Council has approved and ratified projects and services worth N73.32 billion as part of efforts to accelerate socio-economic development and improve living conditions across the state.

The decisions were reached at the Council’s meeting held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Council Chamber of the Government House, Damaturu, under the chairmanship of Governor Mai Mala Buni.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Abdullahi Bego, said the approvals were in line with the administration’s commitment to service delivery and the socio-economic development agenda of the state.

The largest allocation, N28.53 billion, was approved for the procurement of agricultural tools and implements for the 2026 Mega Agricultural Empowerment Programme. The programme builds on similar interventions implemented by the state government in 2024 and 2025.

The Council also ratified N23.97 billion for two major road projects, comprising N21.90 billion for the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the 45-kilometre Kalallawa-Kaliyari Road linking Damaturu and Tarmuwa Local Government Areas, and N2.07 billion for the construction of the seven-kilometre Damagum-Gubana Road.

The construction of the Damagum-Gubana road, the commissioner said, would complete a 17-kilometre road connection to Gubana town from Damagum.

In the area of urban infrastructure and commerce, the Council approved N4.94 billion for the construction of the Buni-Yadi Modern Motor Park and Grains Market, while N5.69 billion was approved for external facilities and augmentation of the perimeter fence at the Damaturu Modern Motor Park, which is nearing completion.

Another N3.95 billion was approved for the construction of a new shopping mall and mini-market in Buni-Gari, Gujba Local Government Area, while N726.09 million was approved for upgrades to the ongoing Damaturu Mega Shopping Mall project.

The Council also approved N616.61 million for the upgrading, remodelling, landscaping and installation of safety barriers at four major roundabouts in Damaturu metropolis.

In the housing sector, the Council ratified N2.25 billion for the purchase of 208 housing units from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, alongside N1.18 billion for the construction of an office complex and headquarters for the Ministry of Housing.

It also approved N652.63 million for the acquisition of Fanzar Mixed Farms Ltd.

As part of efforts to support women and small businesses, the Council approved N460.83 million for the procurement of beans for distribution to female small business owners across the state.

The beans will be distributed alongside cooking oil, smokeless stoves, cooking utensils and kitchenware already procured and stored by the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation. A total of 1,780 bags of 50kg beans are expected to be distributed to beneficiaries.

The Council further approved N364.48 million for the procurement of 1,000 Yamaha GX 390 grinding machines for empowerment beneficiaries across the state.

In another major decision, the Council approved a Public-Private Partnership arrangement for the redevelopment of the Yobe Liaison Office in Kaduna into a modern hotel under a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model.

Under the arrangement, the property will revert to the ownership of the Yobe State Government after 10 years, while the state’s liaison services will continue to operate from the property.

The approvals underscore the Buni administration’s emphasis on agricultural empowerment, infrastructure development, road connectivity, urban renewal, housing, women’s economic empowerment and the strategic utilisation of government assets.

Yobe Executive Council Approves N73.3bn for Agriculture, Roads, Housing, Markets, Empowerment