Development Drive: Yobe Meets UNDP, World Bank On Investment, Innovation, Project Coordination

The Yobe State Government has intensified efforts to expand development partnerships, attract new investments and strengthen the coordination of multilateral-funded projects through separate high-level engagements with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank.

The engagements, led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Mohammed Goje, on the directive of Governor Mai Mala Buni, focused on broadening development cooperation, exploring emerging economic opportunities and improving the delivery of externally supported interventions across the state.

A statement issued by the Media Coordinator/Liaison officer, office of the SSG, Ibrahim Baba Saleh said at the UNDP office, Goje held discussions with the Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, on expanding the longstanding partnership beyond humanitarian recovery to encompass sustainable economic development, private-sector investment, innovation and youth empowerment.

The discussions explored potential areas of collaboration in agriculture, agro-processing, trade, energy and solid minerals, with emphasis on unlocking investment opportunities and strengthening the state’s economic base.

A major proposal considered was the establishment of a University Innovation Pod (UniPod) at Yobe State University, Damaturu, through UNDP’s innovation initiatives especially that the proposed facility is expected to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and youth-led solutions to development challenges.

At the World Bank Country Office, the engagement focused on the Yobe State Portfolio Brief, which provides a consolidated overview of the state’s World Bank-supported interventions, financing and implementation performance.

The portfolio report identifies 15 projects spanning critical sectors, including human capital development, infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, economic recovery, governance and resilience.

During the engagement, Goje highlighted Governor Buni’s directive to establish a Central Coordination Unit for Multilateral-Funded Projects to improve portfolio oversight, implementation monitoring, accountability and the timely resolution of operational bottlenecks.

He explained that the proposed unit would strengthen coordination among participating Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), while complementing existing project management structures rather than duplicating their responsibilities.

The SSG emphasised that the administration’s priority was to ensure that development financing translates into coordinated, measurable and sustainable benefits for communities across the state.

The engagements form part of Governor Buni’s broader strategy to consolidate development gains, strengthen institutional performance and position Yobe State for increased investment and stronger partnerships with international development institutions.

“Through sustained collaboration with multilateral partners, the state government is seeking to advance a development agenda that connects external financing with economic opportunities, institutional efficiency and long-term prosperity for its people,” the SSG added.