Why visit Bauchi
Townapedia lists 5 museums and landmarks, 2 parks and trails, 2 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.
Weather in Bauchi
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Bauchi
Bauchi (earlier Yakoba) is a city in northeast Nigeria, the administrative center 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 metres (2,021 feet). The Local Government Area covers an area of 3,687 km2 and had a population of 493,810 in 2006.
From the Wikipedia article Bauchi (city) (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Travel tips from other travellers: Bauchi on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Things to do2
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Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
School · 2.2 km
Public university in Nigeria
Museums and landmarks5
Parks, trails and playgrounds2
Where to stay2
History
The emirate was founded in (1800–10) by Yakubu, one of Sheikh Usman dan Fodio's commanders. Yakubu conquered a sparsely wooded savanna region (the Bauchi High Plains) mainly inhabited by non-Muslim peoples. After successful campaigns, he (Yakubu) founded (1809) the town of Bauchi. Yakubu built the town’s walls, the circumference of which measures 10.5 kilometres (6.5 miles).
He was the only non-Fulani flag-bearer of the Sokoto Empire. The name was derived from that of 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.
Several of the subject peoples successfully revolted under the rule of his son and successor, Emir Ibrahim ibn Yakubu. Emir Usman moved the capital to Rauta (56.3 kilometres/35 miles northwest) in 1877, but Bauchi once again became the emirate headquarters when, in 1902, the British occupied the town and deposed Emir Umaru. The town served as the provincial capital from 1904 until 1911 and again from 1917 to 1924. In 1926 it became the headquarters of Bauchi province and in 1976, it became the capital of the newly created Bauchi state.
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.
From the History section of Bauchi (city) on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Churches and places of worship17
Gas and EV charging5
Schools, colleges and libraries13
Healthcare18
Map of Bauchi
64 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Bauchi State Airport (BCU) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 22 km away.
- Yamrat 22 km south, about 22 min by car
- Dindima 35 km east, about 35 min by car
- Zalanga 50 km northeast, about 50 min by car
- Gwaram 49 km east, about 49 min by car
- Dass 50 km southwest, about 50 min by car
- Bununu 51 km south, about 51 min by car
- Lame 68 km west, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Yuli 83 km southeast, about 1 h 30 min by car
- Lere 87 km southwest, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB.
Reviews, tips and questions
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Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Babban Gwani, Arcyax, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Gate (2), Musaddam Idriss, CC BY-SA 4.0
Page built November 3, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.