Bauchi | |
|---|---|
 Seal | |
| Nicknames: | |
 Location of Bauchi State in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates:10°30′N10°00′E / 10.500°N 10.000°E /10.500; 10.000 | |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| Date created | 3 February 1976 |
| Capital | Bauchi |
| Government | |
| • Body | Government of Bauchi State |
| • Governor | Bala Mohammed (PDP) |
| • Deputy Governor | Auwal Jatau (PDP) |
| • Legislature | Bauchi State House of Assembly |
| • Senators | C:Abdul Ahmed Ningi (PDP) N:Adamu Bulkachuwa (APC) S:Lawal Yahaya Gumau (NNPP) |
| • Representatives | List |
| Area | |
• Total | 45,893 km2 (17,719 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 5th of 36 |
| Population (2006 census) | |
• Total | 4,676,465 |
• Estimate (2022) | 8,308,800[1] |
| • Rank | 7th of 36 |
| • Density | 101.90/km2 (263.92/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | |
| • Year | 2021 |
| • Total | $17.01 billion[2] 22nd of 36 |
| • Per capita | $2,194[2] 29th of 36 |
| Time zone | UTC+01 (WAT) |
| Postal code | 740001 |
| Dialing Code | +234 |
| ISO 3166 code | NG-BA |
| HDI (2022) | 0.372[3] low ·35th of 37 |
| Website | www.bauchistate.gov.ng |
Bauchi (Hausa: Jihar Bauchi /Fula:Leydi Bauchi 𞤤𞤫𞤴𞤣𞤭 𞤦𞤢𞤵𞤷𞥅𞤭) is astate in theNorth-East geopolitical zone ofNigeria, It is bordered byJigawa to the north,Yobe to the north-east,Gombe to the east,Taraba andPlateau to the south,Kaduna to the west andKano to the northwest respectfully. It takes its name from the historic city ofBauchi, which also serves as its capital. The state was formed in the year 1976, when the formerNorth-Eastern State was broken up. It originally included the area that is nowGombe State, which became a distinct state in 1996.[4]
Of the36 states, Bauchi is thefifth largest in area and also thefifth most populous, with an estimated population of over 8,308,800 as of 2022.[4] Geographically, the state is divided between theWest Sudanian savanna in the south and the drier,semi-desertSahelian savanna in the north with a small part of the montaneJos Plateau in the southwest.[5] A key defining characteristic of the state’s landscape isYankari National Park, a large wildlife park in southern Bauchi State that contains large populations ofwaterbuck,African buffalo,patas monkey,hippopotamus,roan antelope, andwestern hartebeest along with some of Nigeria's last remainingWest African lion,African leopard andAfrican bush elephant populations.[6]
What is now Bauchi State has been inhabited for ages by various ethnic groups, including theBolewa, Butawa, andWarji in the central region; theFulani,Kanuri, andKarai-Karai in the north; the Bankal, Jaku andGerawa in and around the city ofBauchi; theZaar and the Gwak in the south; theDugurawa in the southeast; and theJarawa in the southwest. Religiously, the vast majority of the state's population (~80%) areMuslim withChristian andtraditionalist minorities at about 15% and 5%, respectively.[7] Evangelicals are the dominant Christian denomination but there are also adherents of the Roman Catholic faith. TheAnglican Diocese of Bauchi is part of the Province of Jos, within the Church of Nigeria.[8]
As a major agriculture-based state, the Bauchi State economy partially relies on livestock and crops, such ascotton,groundnuts,millet,tomatoes, andyams with advanced irrigation schemes increasing agricultural production since statehood. Other industries include food processing and canning facilities,tin andcolumbite mining, and tourism in Yankari National Park and its Wikki Warm Springs.[9]
According totradition, it was named after a hunter known as Baushe, who settled in theregion before the arrival of Yakubu, the first traditional ruler of the Bauchi emirate (founded 1800–10).[10]Bauchi andAdamawa were the two main sources of freedom and tourism for theFulani empire of Sokoto.[11]
What is now known as Bauchi was until 1976 a province in the thenNorth-Eastern State of Nigeria. According to the 2006 census, the state has a population of 4,653,066.[12]
In the early 1800s, theFulani jihad seized much of modern-day Bauchi State and formed theBauchi Emirate under theSokoto Caliphate. About 90 years later, a British expedition occupied the Emirate and incorporated it as Bauchi Province into theNorthern Nigeria Protectorate which later merged intoBritish Nigeria before becoming independent asNigeria in 1960. Originally, modern-day Bauchi State was a part of the post-independenceNorthern Region until 1967 when the region was split and the area became part of theNorth-Eastern State.[13] After the North-Eastern State was split, Bauchi State was formed on 3 February 1976 alongside ten other states.
Twenty years after statehood, a group of LGAs in the state's west was broken off to form the newGombe State.[14]
With the creation of Bauchi State in 1976, then comprising present Bauchi andGombe State, it included 16 local government areas. The number of local government areas in the then Bauchi State was increased to 20 and later to 23. However, in 1997 when Gombe State was created out of Bauchi and additional local governments were created in the country, Bauchi State was left with 20 local government areas as shown below.[15]
Bauchi State has gone through a tremendous transformation over the years. TheAjawa language was spoken in Bauchi State, but became extinct by 1940 as speakersshifted toHausa.[16] Sharia law was adopted in June 2001.[17]
Bauchi State consists of twentyLocal Government Areas (LGAs). They are:
_-Yankari_game_reserve%2c_Bauchi_State_(1).jpg)
| LGA | Area (km2) | Census 2006 population | Administrative capital | Postal code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bauchi | 3,687 | 493,810 | Bauchi | 740 |
| Tafawa Balewa | 2,515 | 219,988 | T/Balewa | 740 |
| Dass | 535 | 89,943 | Dass | 740 |
| Toro | 6,932 | 350,404 | Toro | 740 |
| Bogoro | 894 | 84,215 | Bogoro | 741 |
| Ningi | 4,625 | 387,192 | Ningi | 742 |
| Warji | 625 | 114,720 | Warji | 742 |
| Ganjuwa | 5,059 | 280,468 | Kafin Madaki | 742 |
| Kirfi | 2,371 | 147,618 | Kirfi | 743 |
| Alkaleri | 5,918 | 329,424 | Alkaleri | 743 |
| Southern region totals | 33,161 | 2,497,782 | ||
| Darazo | 3,015 | 251,597 | Darazo | 750 |
| Misau | 1,226 | 263,487 | Misau | 750 |
| Giade | 668 | 156,969 | Giade | 750 |
| Shira | 1,321 | 234,014 | Yana | 750 |
| Jamaare | 493 | 176,883 | Jamaare | 751 |
| Katagum | 1,436 | 295,970 | Azare | 751 |
| Itas/Gadau | 1,398 | 229,996 | Itas | 751 |
| Zaki | 1,476 | 191,457 | Katagum | 752 |
| Gamawa | 2,925 | 286,388 | Gamawa | 752 |
| Damban | 1,077 | 150,922 | Damban | 752 |
| Northern region totals | 15,035 | 2,178,683 |
Bauchi State occupies a total land area of 49,119 km2 (18,965 sq mi) representing about 5.3% of Nigeria's total land mass and is located between latitudes 9° 3' and 12° 3' north and longitudes 8° 50' and11° east.
The state is bordered by seven states,Jigawa to the north,Taraba for 54 km andPlateau for 360 km (220 mi) to the south,Gombe for 277 km (172 mi) to the east,Yobe for 188 km (117 mi) to the north-east,Kaduna to the west for 32 km (20 mi), andKano for 131 km (81 mi) to the north-west.[18]
Bauchi state is one of the states in the northern part of Nigeria that span two distinctivevegetation zones, namely, theSudan savannah and theSahel savannah. The Sudan savannah type of vegetation covers the southern part of the state. Here, the vegetation gets richer and richer towards the south, especially along water sources orrivers, but generally, the vegetation is less uniform and grasses are shorter than what grows even farther south, that is, in the forest zone of the middle belt.
The Sahel type of savannah, also known assemi-desert vegetation, becomes manifest from the middle of the state as one moves from the state's south to its north. This type of vegetation comprises isolated stands ofthornyshrubs.
On the other hand, the southwestern part of the state ismountainous as a result of the continuation of theJos Plateau, while the northern part is generallysandy.
The vegetation types as described above are conditioned by theclimatic factors, which in turn determine the amount ofrainfall received in the area. For instance, the rainfall in Bauchi state ranges between 1,300 millimetres (51 in) per annum in the south and only 700 millimetres (28 in) per annum in the extreme north. This pattern is because in theWest Africa sub-region, rains generally come from the south as they are carried by the south-westerlies. There is therefore a progressive dryness towards the north, culminating in thedesert condition in the far north. So also is the case in Bauchi state.
Consequently, rains start earlier in the southern part of the state, where rain is heaviest and lasts longer. Here the rains start in April with the highest record amount of 1,300 millimetres (51 in) per annum. In contrast, the northern part of the state receives the rains late, usually around June or July, and records the highest amount of 700 millimetres (28 in) per annum.
In the same vein, the weather experienced in the south and the north varies considerably. While it ishumidly hot during the early part of the rainy season in the south, the hot, dry and dusty weather lingers up north.
In addition to rainfall, Bauchi state is watered by a number of rivers. They include theGongola andJama'are rivers.
TheGongola River crosses Bauchi state inTafawa Balewa Local Government Area in the south and inKirfi andAlkaleri Local Government Areas in the eastern part of the state, while the Jama’are River cuts across a number of Local Government Areas in the northern part of the state. Moreover, a substantial part of the Hadeja-Jama'are River basin lies in Bauchi state, which along with various fadama (floodplain) areas in the state provides suitable land foragricultural activities. These are further supported by the number ofdams meant forirrigation and other purposes. These include theGubi andTilde-Fulani dams. There are also lakes such as theMaladumba Lake inMisau Local Government Area that further provide the necessary conditions to supportAgriculture.
Bauchi has an oppressive wet season while the dry season is partly cloudy, and it is hot year-round. Over the year, the temperature also varies.[19][20]
Like every other state in Nigeria, Bauchi state has not been spared in devastating effects of climate change. On 11 July 2022, the acting Director-general of the Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (BASEMA), Mr Bala Lame, said "No fewer than 100 houses and several farmlands have been destroyed by devastating floods in Darazo LGA of the state". This he attributed to flooding after three days of persistent rainfall in the area.[21] The average annual temperature ranges from 57 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with occasional exceptions when it falls below 51 or rises over 104.
The greatest time of year to visit Bauchi for warm-weather activities, according to the tourist score, is from early December to early February.
From 28 February to 10 May is the hot season, which lasts 2.5 months and has an average daily high temperature of over 96 °F. Averaging a high of 99 °F and a low of 74 °F, April is the hottest month of the year in Bauchi.
From 15 July to 1 October, the cool season, which has an average daily high temperature below 86 °F, lasts for 2.6 months. With an average low of 58 °F and high of 90 °F, January is the coldest month of the year in Bauchi.[5]
Particulate matter, which has a diameter of less than 10 microns and is 1/7th the thickness of a human hair, is a significant source ofair pollution in Bauchi. These particles, which can include smoke, soot, dust, salt, acids, and metals, pose a serious threat to health because they may be inhaled into the deepest parts of the lungs.[22][23][24]
Gully erosion, which has swept away bridges, culverts, and homes, is causing alarm among residents of the settlements of Alkaleri and Kirfi in Bauchi State.[25][26]
Bauchi State has a total of 55 tribal groups which includeGerawa,Sayawa,Jarawa, Kirfawa, TurawaBolewa,Karekare,Kanuri,Fa'awa,Butawa,Warjawa, Zulawa,BoyawaMBadawa.
There are cultural similarities in the people'slanguage, occupational practices,festivals,dress and there is a high degree of ethnic interaction especially inmarriage andeconomic existence. Some of the ethnic groups havejoking relationships that exist between them, e.g.Fulani andKanuri,Jarawa andSayawa, etc.
The Durbar Festival is a major annual attraction.[27]
TheAbubakar Tafawa Balewa University[28] is located in the capital city Bauchi. Other educational institutions located in the state includeBauchi State University,[29]Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic,[30]Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi[31] and Federal university of health science Azare.[32]
Federal Highways:
Other major roads:
Railways:
Airport:
West Chadic language groups spoken in Bauchi State:[33]
Languages of Bauchi State listed by LGA:[34]
| LGA | Languages |
|---|---|
| Alkaleri | Dass; Bole; Duguri; Giiwo; Guruntum-Mbaaru; Labir; Tangale |
| Bauchi | Bankal; Duguri; Dulbu; Galambu; Gera; Geruma; Giiwo; Guruntum-Mbaaru; Ju; Kir-Balar; Labir; Luri; Mangas; Mbat; Pa'a; Polci; Shiki; Tala; Zangwal |
| Bogoro | Sayawa(Za'ar) |
| Dambam | Karai-karai |
| Darazo | Bole; Deno; Diri; Giiwo; Mburku; Ngamo; Zumbun |
| Dass | Bankal; Dass; Gwak; Polci; Saya; Shall-Zwall; Zari |
| Dukku | Bole |
| Gamawa | Karai-karai |
| Ganjuwa | Ciwogai; Gera; Geruma; Jimi; Kariya; Kubi; Miya |
| Kirfi | Bure |
| Misau | Fulato/Borno; Shuwa; Kanuri; Hausa; Fulani; Karai-karai |
| Ningi | Diri; Gamo-Ningi; Kudu-Camo; Pa'a; Siri; Warji; Geruma |
| Tafawa Balewa | Sur; Vaghat-Ya-Bijim-Legeri; Zari; Bankal; Gwak; Izere; Sayawa(Za'ar) |
| Toro | Bankal; Dass; Geji; Geruma; Gwa; Gyem; Iguta; Izere; Jere; Lame; Lemoro; Mawa; Panawa; Polci; Sanga; Saya; Shau; Tunzuii; Zari; Zeem; Ziriya |
| Zaki | Bade |
Other languages of Bauchi State are Ajawa, Beele, Berom, Kanuri, Kwaami, Manga, Pero, and Piya-Kwonci.[34]
See also:List of governors of Bauchi State
Like all Nigerian states, the executive arm of the state government is headed by a governor who is eligible for a re-election once.
As at 2019, the governor of Bauchi State is Bala Mohammed, who emerged victorious in the 9 March 2019 Governorship election with the political party PDP. He was sworn in on 29 May 2019, making him the 6th democratic governor of Bauchi State and the 16th governor of Bauchi State overall. Baba Tela serves as the deputy governor of Bauchi State.[35][36]
The State government is led by a democratically elected governor who works closely with members of the state's House of Assembly. The Capital city of the State is Bauchi.[37]
The electoral system of to the state is selected using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive theplurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two-thirds of the State local government Areas. If no candidate passes the threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government Areas.[38]
Currently, there are twenty (20) traditional institutions in Bauchi State comprising 19 emirates and 1 chiefdom as follows:[39][40]
| S/N | Name | Headquarters | Local Government Area (LGA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bauchi Emirate | Bauchi | Bauchi |
| 2 | Katagum Emirate | Azare | Katagum |
| 3 | Misau Emirate | Misau | Misau |
| 4 | Ningi Emirate | Ningi | Ningi |
| 5 | Jama’are Emirate | Jama’are | Jama’are |
| 6 | Dass Emirate | Dass | Dass |
| 7 | Burra Emirate | Burra | Ningi |
| 8 | Dambam Emirate | Dambam | Dambam |
| 9 | Darazo Emirate | Darazo | Darazo |
| 10 | Duguri Emirate | Yuli | Alkaleri |
| 11 | Gamawa Emirate | Gamawa | Gamawa |
| 12 | Giade Emirate | Giade | Giade |
| 13 | Toro Emirate | Toro | Toro |
| 14 | Warji Emirate | Katangar Warji | Warji |
| 15 | Ari Emirate | Gadar Maiwa | Itas/Gadau |
| 16 | Jama’a Emirate (Bauchi State) | Nabardo | Toro |
| 17 | Lame Emirate | Gumau | Toro |
| 18 | Bununu Emirate | Bununu | Tafawa Balewa |
| 19 | Lere Emirate (Bauchi State) | Lere | Tafawa Balewa |
| 20 | Zaar Chiefdom | Mhrim | Tafawa Balewa |
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State capital:Bauchi | ||
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