One of the 36 states of Nigeria. After gaining independence in 1960, three regions were established in the country, each of which was dominated by one of the three main ethnic groups - Yoruba (West), Igbo (East), Hausa / Fulani (North). This configuration gave rise to conflicts, and to mitigate them, several waves of political and administrative reforms were carried out. As a consequence, each of the three main groups was divided into several states, while in some territories states were created for ethnic minorities.
Yobe, located in the north-east of the country, was established in 1991 in a secession from the Borno state. Yobe became the second province to host one of the largest ethnic minority in Nigeria - kanuri, which for many centuries was the "ethnic core" in the North-East. Back in the XIX century. There was a conflict between two Islamic centers - the caliphate of Sokoko (Hausa) and the empire of Kanem-Borno (kanuri). Therefore, kanuri always separated themselves from the dominant Hausa in the north of Nigeria, and the movement for the creation of its own political and administrative education began back in the 1950s.
Kanuri belongs to the Saharan linguistic family, Islam plays a significant role in their life. Yobe belongs to the group of states in Nigeria, where the Shariah is recognized as an official set of norms of civil and criminal law. Until now, traditional forms of power - the emirates - have been preserved, which advise local authorities on cultural and traditional issues.
Along with Borno, Yobe is one of the poorest Nigerian states. Since the Muslim population is completely dominant in the area, there are no significant religious conflicts, but the terrorist group "Boko Haram" (West African Province of the Islamic State) is active in the province.
