The Director-General of the Yobe State Agency for Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion (YAPPPIP), Dr. Aliyu Isah Chikaji, has revealed a strategic set of incentives aimed at positioning the state as Nigeria’s next mining destination.
“Yobe State offers several incentives. These include prospecting licences for both local and foreign companies, a three-year tax holiday for new mining businesses, and loan guarantees depending on the investment plan,” Dr. Chikaji told Nigerian Mining.
He lauded the support of the state’s Governor, noting: “Graciously, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, CON. signed the law establishing the Yobe State Agency for Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion (YAPPPIP), which helps investors navigate the process and ensures a friendly business environment.”
Additional perks such as capital allowances, export grants, and tax reliefs have been introduced to make mining investment highly attractive.
In its effort to enhance private sector collaboration, the state has established the Yobe Mining Development Company Ltd, and is developing a comprehensive roadmap for mineral exploitation. “Yobe State has laid the groundwork for partnerships with private companies by creating a supportive policy framework… engaging with mining firms to develop a roadmap,” Chikaji said.
Although the three-year tax holiday and loan guarantee schemes are in place, public data on uptake remains sparse. “While this is a promising incentive, there’s no specific public data yet on how many companies have taken advantage of it,” he acknowledged.
On long-term goals, the DG highlighted: “Yobe State’s vision for the next five years is to build a mining sector that creates jobs, boosts revenue, and drives industrial growth. The goal is to leave a legacy of a diversified, investor-friendly, and economically vibrant mining industry that benefits both local communities and the state as a whole.”
