Yobe is a state located in northeast Nigeria. Its capital is Damaturu. The major language spoken in Yobe state is Hausa. The state was created on 27th August, 1991; it was carved out of Borno state during Babangida's regime and is estimated to have population of about 2.7 million. It shares boundaries with Borno state to the eastern part, Jigawa and Bauchi state to the west, Gombe state to the south and shares an international border with the Republic of Niger to the North.
Yobe State was created because the old Borno State was one of Nigeria's largest states in terms of land area and was therefore considered to be too large for easy administration and meaningful development. The major ethnic groups in the state include Manga, Fulani, Kare, Bolewa, Hausa and Kanuri. The state has 17 local governments namely: Bursari, Damaturu, Geidam, Bade, Gujba, Gulani, Fika, Fune, Jakusko, Karasuwa, Machina, Nangere, Nguru, Potiskum, Tarmuwa, Yunusari, Yusufar. It is noted for agricultural production as farming, fishing and livestock rearing provides employment to over 80% of the states population.
