By: Abdullahi Inuwa
Yobe State has clinched a major national honour after emerging as Nigeria’s “Most Improved State in Agriculture and Agro-Industrial Growth” for 2025, a recognition that underscores the impact of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s ambitious agricultural transformation agenda.
The prestigious award was presented at the BusinessDay Newspaper State Competitiveness and Investment Readiness Awards (SCIRA) held at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja, where Yobe was celebrated for its remarkable strides in boosting food production, empowering farmers and strengthening agro-industrial development.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Abdullahi Bego, who attended the event, expressed delight over the recognition, describing it as a testament to the administration’s unwavering commitment to agricultural development and food security.
The award was presented by the Publisher of BusinessDay Newspaper, Mr. Frank Aigbogun, and received on behalf of the Yobe State Government by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Ali Mustapha.
According to the organisers, Yobe earned the coveted recognition due to the bold and measurable interventions undertaken by the Buni administration to transform the agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the state.
Among the initiatives cited were the state’s mega agricultural empowerment programmes launched in 2024 and 2025, the procurement and deployment of more than 300 tractors, distribution of over 20,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser, and the provision of hundreds of thousands of agricultural implements, agro-chemicals and other farming inputs to communities across Yobe.
The interventions have significantly expanded cultivation, enhanced productivity and strengthened food security in a state traditionally challenged by climatic and security concerns.
Observers at the event noted that the award reflects Yobe’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s emerging agricultural hubs, driven by deliberate investments in mechanised farming and support for rural producers.
The delegation that received the award on behalf of Governor Buni and the state government included the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Hajiya Salamatu Yahaya Nangere; the Focal Person on Special Agricultural Intervention, Dr. Dilala; and the Executive Director of the Council for Arts and Culture, Hajiya Husna Ibrahim.
The recognition is expected to further boost investor confidence in Yobe’s agricultural sector and reinforce the state government’s resolve to sustain policies aimed at achieving food sufficiency, job creation and economic growth.
For many stakeholders, the award is not only a celebration of past achievements but also a strong endorsement of Governor Buni’s vision of making Yobe a leading agricultural and agro-industrial powerhouse in Nigeria.
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