Gombe State
From The Report: Nigeria 2024
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Gombe State has a strong agriculture sector, and has the potential to further develop its agro-industry, mining, manufacturing and energy sectors to accelerate economic growth. Ranking first in Nigeria’s 2021 and 2022 subnational ease of doing business surveys, the state’s business environment has attracted a significant number of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises. Moreover, with GDP growth projected to more than double over the next decade and a relatively robust debt-to-GDP ratio, the unemployment rate is anticipated to fall significantly, and per capita income could double by 2030. Regardless, more remains to be done to reduce poverty, increase private sector investment in infrastructure and attract foreign investment.

This chapter contains an interview with Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, Governor, Gombe State.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Upward growth: A young, expanding population is expected to play a pivotal role in the state’s continued development
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Gombe State in north-east Nigeria has become a major economic and trading centre, with strong agriculture and mining sectors. With the government announcing new projects to further tap the state’s economic potential, Gombe State is expected to continue to grow and become a major force in the north of the country. History & Culture Gombe State – the name of which comes from its capital, Gombe – came into existence in October 1996 during an administrative restructuring of the country. The…

Analysis

Expanding potential: Infrastructure projects will improve access and offer increased economic opportunities across the state
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Seen as the gateway to the north-east of Nigeria, Gombe State has strong economic development potential. The region has a strong agriculture sector, and there is potential for further development of its agro-industry, mining, manufacturing and energy sec-tors to accelerate economic growth. Performance In 2021 and 2022 Gombe State ranked first in Nigeria’s subnational ease of doing business survey conducted by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council. This reflects the rapid development…

Analysis

Fruitful efforts: Sector modernisation and infrastructure improvements aim to boost productivity and increase the sector’s contribution to GDP
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The agriculture sector is responsible for approximately 80% of employment in Gombe State. The sector is a significant contributor to the state’s economy due to its high-value crops in combination with the gradual development of an agro-industry segment. Ongoing Projects According to the government, around 35% of land in Gombe State is used for crop cultivation, with the potential of expanding farming land by a further 6099 sq km. The principal crops in the state include groundnut, cotton, cowpea,…

Analysis

On the grid: The discovery of oil reserves and the implementation of green initiatives set to boost electricity access to rural communities
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Gombe’s energy sector has the potential to be a major driver of economic growth. This was highlighted by the 2019 discovery of hydrocarbons in the state, first announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which has led to greater exploration and the launch of new projects. Additionally, Gombe State’s natural resources make the region well suited to develop renewable energy sources. Energy demand in the state is expected to increase sharply by 2030 – in line with a jump…

Analysis

Deeper development: The construction of a new industrial park and connectivity projects are set to make the state an industrial centre
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Gombe State has the potential to grow as an industrial centre in the north-east of Nigeria, thanks to expanding commercial and industrial infrastructure, a skilled youth population and a high placement in the country’s ease of doing business index. It is home to thousands of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, and recent allocations from the state budget are expected to help develop industry and manufacturing activities. Several bodies oversee the sector, including the Ministry of Commerce,…

Analysis

Going green: Sustainable programmes expected to bolster the local economy and help restore biodiversity to the region
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Like many regions around the world, Gombe State has seen its economic growth and development hampered by headwinds resulting from climate change, including flooding, degradation of arable land, air pollution and deforestation. The Gombe State Environmental Sanitation & Protection Agency, overseen by the state’s Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources, has been tasked with addressing the negative impacts of climate change in the face of a rapidly growing population. In 2023 the state government…

Analysis

Duty of care: Various measures aim to enhance quality of and access to care
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Gombe’s education and health sectors have seen improvements in recent years due to initiatives implemented in line with Development Agenda for Gombe State 2021-30, which seeks to enhance access and quality of services. In the 2023 state budget, N14.8bn ($35.3m) was allocated to health care and N22.7bn ($54.1m) to education. The largest share of health care funding will go to the construction of three hospitals in the three senatorial districts. Meanwhile, five educational institutions are being…

Interview

Impactful cooperation: Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, Governor, Gombe State, on the significance of federal and state government collaborations
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Interview: Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya What is your evaluation of the current economic situation in Gombe State? MUHAMMAD INUWA YAHAYA: The economic landscape has improved in recent years across several key indicators. The state’s debt, for example, is at a sustainable level following the settlement of over 30% of legacy pension liabilities. Moreover, all local governments have maintained positive balances and we were among the first states to implement a N30,000 ($71.48) per month minimum wage. Furthermore,…