Bauchi, Nigeria

🇳🇬 Bauchi is a city in north-east Nigeria, the capital of Bauchi State, of the Bauchi Local Government Area within that State, and of the traditional Bauchi Emirate. It is located on the northern edge of the Jos Plateau, at an elevation of 616 m. The Local Government Area covers an area of 3,687 km².

Bauchi City is among the twenty Local Government Areas of Bauchi state: Bauchi, Tafawa Balewa, Dass, Toro, Bogoro, Ningi, Warji, Ganjuwa, Kirfi, Alkaleri, Darazo, Misau, Giade, Shira, Jamaare, Katagum, Itas/Gadau, Zaki, Gamawa and Damban.

History The city was founded by Yaqub ibn Dadi, the only non-Fulani flag-bearer of the Sokoto Empire. The name was derived from a hunter called Baushe, who advised Yaqub to build his city west of the Warinje mountain. In return Yaqub promised to name his city after the hunter.

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa is buried in the city, while the Yankari National Park is 110 km from the state capital. The city lies on the Port Harcourt – Maiduguri railway line. The Bauchi State Library Board was established in 1976.

In July 2009, there were attacks in Bauchi by Boko Haram following the arrest of some of its members, which resulted in over 50 deaths and over 100 arrested.

After the 2014 Chibok kidnapping, over 200 students were transferred to the Federal Government Girls College, Bauchi. The majority were from Federal Government Girls’ College, Potiskum, Yobe State.

Transport Bauchi was originally served by a narrow gauge 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) light railway, but this was later converted to the normal gauge of 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in).

Up until August, 2014, Bauchi was served by Bauchi Airport, located in-town. Scheduled airline service was then transferred to the newly constructed Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, 23 km (14 mi) north of Bauchi, near the village of Durum.

Education Bauchi state is among the advanced centres of learning in Nigeria. It has many public and private institutions, These include universities own by the state and others own by federal government of Nigeria, other institutions present in the state are polytechnics, monothecnic, colleges of education, health technology institutions, secondary schools and primary schools.

Universities and institutions • Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University • Bauchi State University • Federal University of Health Science and Technology.

Colleges, polytechnics and secondary schools • Federal polytechnic Bauchi • Bauchi state College of Agriculture • School for Higher Islamic Studies • Bogoro College of Education • Sunnah College of Edication • Mohammed Goni college of Legal and Islamic Studies.

Languages • Fulani • Gera • Jarawa • Gere • Sayawa (Zaar) • Kir-Balar language, Kir Bengbet and Kir Bajang’le villages • Zumbun language, Darazo LGA, Jimbim settlement • Karai-Karai • Boyawa (Ayah) Bogoro LGA.

Natural resources Bauchi has many occurring natural recources that are used by insdustries and also for commercial consumption. These include : • Crude oil • Limestone • Iron ore • Linite • Gypsum

Tourist Industry The state has many tourist attractions and landmarks; they include: • Yankari National Park and Game Reserve • Bauchi Emir's Palace • Shehu Azare Park • Tafawa Balewa Tomb Monument • Unity Park • Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium • Tunga Dutse • Kalban Hills • Panshanu Stone Heaps • Tungan Maliki.