Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has commissioned solar electrification, upgraded accommodation and improved water supply facilities at the Yankari Game Reserve as part of efforts to reposition the tourism sector and boost economic development in the state.
The projects, commissioned on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, by Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, were executed at a combined cost of ₦3.43 billion, following an increase in the initial contract sum due to rising costs of materials and services.
The governor said the projects were designed to improve the visitor experience at Yankari, attract more tourists and investors, create employment opportunities and stimulate businesses within surrounding communities.
According to him, the solar electrification project cost ₦2.693 billion, while the upgrading of chalets and executive accommodation was undertaken at ₦166 million. Improved water supply and reticulation facilities accounted for another ₦110 million.
Mohammed explained that the projects, initially awarded at ₦2.98 billion, rose to ₦3.43 billion due to inflation and fluctuations in prices. He said the initial contract sum was funded through the Federal Government’s Natural Resources Fund, while the state government provided the additional ₦449.9 million.
He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for providing the Natural Resources Fund, noting that the fund had also supported the construction of an earth dam and fencing at Sumu Wildlife Park at a cost of ₦1.09 billion.
The governor said the state had also deployed resources from the fund to other sectors, including solid minerals development, environmental restoration and agriculture.
He disclosed that more than ₦7.7 billion had been invested in the development of the Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri to build human capacity for the oil and gas and solid minerals sectors.
Mohammed said the government had also mapped mineral deposits across the state and was working to transform artisanal mining into regulated and revenue-generating cooperative clusters.
On agriculture, he said the state had used part of the resources to provide farming inputs, rehabilitate irrigation schemes, support tractor hiring services and modernise the State Fertilizer Blending Company.
The governor, however, called for further Federal Government intervention, saying about 1,800 communities in Bauchi were vulnerable to climate-induced flooding and required urgent support to mitigate its impact and restore livelihoods.
He urged the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to consider the state’s utilisation of available resources and recommend additional support to enable Bauchi to address its development challenges.
Mohammed described Yankari as one of Bauchi’s most valuable natural assets and said the government was committed to making tourism a major pillar of its economic diversification strategy.
He said improved infrastructure, security, hospitality services, marketing and private-sector participation would help attract more domestic and international visitors while generating economic opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tour guides, artisans, farmers and traders.
The governor also called on the management of Yankari, traditional rulers, host communities and other stakeholders to protect the newly commissioned facilities from vandalism and neglect.
He said the sustainability of the investments depended on collective ownership, proper maintenance and cooperation among government, communities and other stakeholders.
Mohammed said the projects formed part of his administration’s broader investment in roads, energy, water, tourism, agriculture and human capital development aimed at improving living standards and creating economic opportunities across Bauchi State.
He commended government ministries and agencies, contractors, consultants, traditional institutions, security agencies and host communities, particularly communities along the Dindima-Yankari corridor, for their contributions to the successful completion of the projects.
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