By Abdulwahab Muhammad, SSA Communication to the Governor of Bauchi State
The Bauchi State Government has commissioned infrastructure projects worth over ₦3.43 billion at the Yankari Game Reserve, as Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed intensifies efforts to reposition the iconic reserve as a major tourism, investment and employment hub.
The projects, commissioned on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, include modern solar electrification infrastructure, upgraded chalets and executive accommodation, as well as improved water supply and reticulation facilities.
Governor Mohammed said the intervention represents another major milestone in his administration’s strategy to diversify the state’s economy by unlocking the enormous tourism and natural-resource potential of Bauchi State.
The Governor described Yankari as one of the state’s greatest natural assets and one of Nigeria’s most important tourism destinations, noting that its wildlife, natural landscape, warm springs and ecological heritage provide enormous opportunities for attracting domestic and international visitors.
He stressed that his administration no longer views tourism merely as a recreational activity but as a serious component of the state’s economic development strategy capable of generating jobs, stimulating local businesses and expanding internally generated revenue.
According to the Governor, the solar electrification project cost ₦2,693,394,930.11, providing cleaner, more reliable and sustainable electricity to accommodation facilities, pathways and other critical areas of the reserve.
Another ₦166,001,558.46 was spent on renovating and upgrading chalets and executive accommodation to improve hospitality standards for tourists, families, researchers and business visitors, while ₦110 million was committed to improving water supply and reticulation facilities.
Governor Mohammed explained that inflation and fluctuations in the prices of materials increased the overall cost of the projects from the initial ₦2,981,726,053.44 to ₦3,431,640,152.57.
He disclosed that the initial contract sum was funded through the Federal Government’s Natural Resources Fund, while the Bauchi State Government provided the additional ₦449,914,095.77 required to complete the projects.
The Governor expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for providing resources through the Natural Resources Fund, saying the intervention has enabled Bauchi State to execute strategic projects across tourism, solid minerals, agriculture and environmental protection.
He disclosed that the fund was also deployed for the construction of an earth dam and fencing at the Sumu Wildlife Park at a cost of ₦1.088 billion, while more than ₦7.7 billion has been invested in the development of the Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri.
According to him, the academy is designed to develop the skilled manpower required for Nigeria’s oil, gas and solid minerals industries.
Governor Mohammed said the state has also mapped extensive mineral deposits and is developing institutional frameworks to transform artisanal mining into regulated and revenue-generating cooperative clusters.
In agriculture, he said government interventions include modern farming inputs, rehabilitation of irrigation schemes, tractor-hiring support for smallholder farmers and massive investment in the modernisation of the State Fertilizer Blending Company.
The Governor, however, drew attention to the increasing impact of climate-related disasters, revealing that about 1,800 communities across Bauchi State are vulnerable to flooding and other environmental challenges.
He appealed to the Federal Government for further intervention to mitigate the impact of the disasters and restore the livelihoods of affected communities.
Governor Mohammed also appealed to the Chairman and members of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, to consider the state’s judicious utilisation of resources and recommend additional support to enable Bauchi exploit its enormous economic potential and address emerging challenges.
On tourism development, the Governor said his administration intends to establish an ecosystem where government provides infrastructure and an enabling environment while the private sector, host communities and development partners contribute investment, innovation and expertise.
He expressed confidence that improved infrastructure, security, hospitality services, aggressive marketing and increased private-sector participation could transform Yankari into a major tourism destination capable of attracting visitors from Nigeria and beyond.
The Governor said the economic benefits would extend to hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tour guides, artisans, farmers, traders and entertainers, particularly within communities surrounding the reserve.
He consequently called on the management of Yankari, traditional institutions, community leaders, residents and other stakeholders to regard the newly commissioned facilities as collective assets and protect them against vandalism, misuse and neglect.
Mohammed assured that his administration would continue working with security agencies, traditional institutions, host communities and conservation stakeholders to secure Yankari and its access corridors while preserving its natural heritage for future generations.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investments in roads, energy, water, tourism, agriculture and human capital development, saying the ultimate objective is to build a Bauchi State that is economically vibrant, socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable and attractive to investors.
The Governor commended the Ministries of Culture and Tourism and Works and Transport, government agencies, contractors, consultants, security agencies, traditional institutions and host communities for their roles in completing the projects.
He particularly acknowledged communities along the Dindima–Yankari corridor for their cooperation and invited development partners and private-sector investors to take advantage of emerging investment opportunities in the state’s tourism sector.
Governor Mohammed said the Yankari intervention ultimately represents more than the commissioning of physical infrastructure.
“We are commissioning opportunities — opportunities for tourism, investment, employment, our farmers, traders, entrepreneurs and young people; and above all, opportunities for a stronger and more prosperous Bauchi State.”
He urged citizens and stakeholders to protect the investments and ensure their benefits are sustained for generations to come.
Published by Alphapressmedia.com
