History and Origin of Bauchi State

 
Bauchi State lies in the North-East geo-political zone of Nigeria. It was formed on 3 February 1976 when the old North-Eastern State was divided. Its capital is the city of Bauchi. It shares borders with Jigawa to the north, Yobe to the northeast, Gombe to the east, Taraba and Plateau states to the south, Kaduna to the west, and Kano to the northwest. 

The land covers roughly 45,893 km², making it among the larger Nigerian states by area. It is also one of the more populous states; as of the 2006 census it had about 4.6 million people, and more recent estimates place the population well above 8 million. 

Physically, the state stretches over different ecological zones: from the more humid savannas in the south, through semi-desert in the north, with some areas of plateau in the southwest. One of its proud features is the Yankari National Park, a major wildlife refuge that supports diverse fauna including buffalo, elephants, lions, hippos, and many others. Its economy leans heavily on agriculture, livestock, mining (tin, columbite), and also tourism around natural attractions. 

##Name and Meaning
Folklore holds that the name “Bauchi” derives from a hunter named Baushe who settled in the region before the establishment of the Bauchi Emirate (circa 1800-1810). Over time his name became associated with the area. 

##Past & Key Developments
Before becoming a separate state in 1976, the area that is now Bauchi State was part of the North-Eastern State. Earlier in its history, in the early 19th century, the Fulani Jihad brought much of its territory under the control of the Bauchi Emirate, which was itself part of the larger Sokoto Caliphate. 

During colonial rule, the British occupied the Emirate and integrated it into the Northern Nigeria Protectorate. With Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the region continued under Northern Region administration until 1967, when the regions were restructured. Bauchi State was officially created in 1976, encompassing land that today includes both modern Bauchi and what later became Gombe State. In 1996 Gombe was carved out, reducing Bauchi’s territory and number of local government areas. 

Over the years, Bauchi has experienced shifts not only in political boundaries but also in its administrative structure: the number of Local Government Areas (LGAs) increased, then after Gombe’s creation, Bauchi was left with twenty LGAs. Also notable: the extinction of the Ajawa language by about 1940, as speakers shifted to Hausa. In more recent times, Sharia law was adopted (in June 2001), marking a significant legal-cultural change. 

##Local Government Areas
Here are the 20 LGAs in Bauchi State:

1. Bauchi

2. Tafawa Balewa

3. Dass

4. Toro

5. Bogoro

6. Ningi

7. Warji

8. Ganjuwa

9. Kirfi

10. Alkaleri

11. Darazo

12. Misau

13. Giade

14. Shira

15. Yana

16. Jamaare

17. Katagum

18. Itas/Gadau

19. Zaki

20. Gamawa

21. Damban

Note: depending on source, sometimes Damban is included to make 21; the states’ lists vary slightly.

##Land & Climate Features
Bauchi State occupies a substantial portion of Nigeria’s northeastern region, covering about 49,000 km² — roughly 5.3% of Nigeria’s total land mass. Geographically it spans latitudes between approximately 9°3'N and 12°3'N, and longitudes 8°50'E to about 11°E. 

The terrain is varied: the southern areas are richer in vegetation, influenced by rivers and higher rainfall; the northern portion becomes increasingly dry and semi-arid. The southwestern edge touches on the Jos Plateau, making some parts more elevated and mountainous. 

In terms of rainfall, there is a clear gradient: the south of the state receives about 1,300 mm of rain per year, while in the extreme north it drops to around 700 mm. Rainfall season starts earlier in the southern parts (around April) and lasts longer; in contrast, the north has a shorter rainy season (starting around June or July). Temperatures tend to be hot year-round. The wet season is oppressive; the dry season brings partly cloudy skies and dryness, especially up north. 

Hydrologically, multiple rivers traverse the state: the Gongola River passes through Local Government Areas like Tafawa Balewa, Kirfi, Alkaleri; the Jama’are River cuts across a number of northern LGAs. There are floodplains (fadama), dams (e.g. Gubi, Tilde-Fulani), lakes (e.g. Maladumba in Misau), all of which support agriculture. Vegetation consists of Sudan savannah in the south (more grasses, shrubs, richer plant growth near water) and Sahel/Semi-desert vegetation further north: thorny shrubs, more sparse coverage. 

##Air Quality Issues
Particulate matter (PM10), which includes very fine particles such as smoke, soot, dust, acids, metals, is a major contributor to air pollution in Bauchi. These particles are harmful because they can reach deep into the lungs. 

##Land Degradation / Erosion
In parts of Bauchi, especially in Alkaleri and Kirfi LGAs, gully erosion has become serious. Erosion has damaged infrastructure—including bridges, culverts—and homes, and poses ongoing risk to livelihoods. 

##Demographics Snapshot
As of the 2006 census Bauchi State had about 4.6 million people; more recent estimates put this number above 8.3 million (2022). The state population is ethnically diverse, comprising dozens of groups including the Fulani, Kanuri, Karai-Karai, Bolewa, Warji, Bankal, Jaku, Gerawa, Zaar, Gwak, Jarawa, among others. The majority religion is Islam (~80%), with Christian (~15%) and traditional (~5%) minorities. 

##Learning Institutions
Major institutions for higher education in Bauchi include:

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (in Bauchi city)

Bauchi State University

Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic

Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi

Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare 


##Road Networks
Road networks are quite extensive: Federal Highways such as the A3, which runs northeast from Plateau State via Bauchi and Darazo to Yobe State, and A237 (as part of the Trans-Saharan or Trans-Sahelian road corridor), among others. Several major roads connect Bauchi to its LGAs and neighboring states, linking towns like Azare, Katagum, Ningi etc. 

Rail infrastructure includes the Eastern Line (Cape gauge) that extends from Jos through to Gombe. 

Air transport is anchored by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, located about 23 km north of Bauchi city, near the village of Durum. It replaced the old Bauchi Airport in 2014, and offers regular service to places like Abuja. 

These transport routes facilitate economic activities, from agriculture to mining to tourism. However, challenges remain particularly during rainy season (road maintenance) and in remote LGAs where accessibility is more limited.

##Languages
Here are some of the languages spoken in Bauchi State, organized broadly by region or LGA:

West Chadic language groups, including many local variants. 

In specific LGAs:

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) 

Darazo: Bole; Deno; Diri; Giiwo; Mburku; Ngamo; Zumbun 

Dass: Bankal; Dass; Gwak; Polci; Saya; Shall-Zwall; Zari 

Dukku: Bole 

Gamawa: Karekare 

Ganjuwa: Ciwogai; Gera; Geruma; Jimi; Kariya; Kubi; Miya 

Kirfi: Bure 

Misau: Fulato/Borno; Shuwa; Kanuri; Hausa; Fulani 

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 

Also other languages such as Ajawa (now extinct), Beele, Berom, Kanuri, Kwaami, Manga, Pero, Piya-Kwonci. 

##Administration & Leadership
Bauchi State, as with other Nigerian states, operates under a three-arm government framework: the Executive (headed by a Governor), the Legislature (the State House of Assembly), and the Judiciary. The Governor is elected for a term, and may be re-elected once. 

As of the latest data in 2019, the Governor is Bala Mohammed (PDP), with a Deputy Governor who assists in executive duties. The state also has representatives in the Nigerian Senate (three Senators, one for each senatorial zone) and in the House of Representatives. Administrative duties are also decentralized through the 20 Local Government Areas. 

The state government is tasked with delivering public services: infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, local security, etc. It also collects certain taxes and levies, regulates trade, land use, and other regional matters in concert with federal laws. The legislative arm—House of Assembly—passes laws specific to Bauchi State, consistent with the state and federal constitutions. 

##Electoral & Political Landscape
Politics in Bauchi State has been characterised by multiparty competition, largely between the major national parties (PDP, APC etc.), with periodic shifts in power. Elections are conducted on a mixed or modified two-round system: a candidate must secure a plurality of votes plus at least 25% of votes in two-thirds of the LGAs to be declared winner; failing that, there is a runoff. 

State elections typically involve campaigns focused on infrastructure, education, agriculture, rural development, and fighting erosion and environmental degradation. Given the diversity of the state (ethnic, religious, ecological), political leaders often navigate complex social dynamics. Also, legal changes—such as the adoption of Sharia law in 2001—reflect the interplay of religion and politics in the state. 

The governmental transitions, splits (such as the creation of Gombe State), and shifts in leadership reflect both administrative restructuring and political choices over time. Voter patterns, political alliances, and party strength vary across LGAs. Local government politics also matter, since many public service delivery issues (roads, water, health) are managed at that level.

##Distinguished Persons
Some notable individuals from Bauchi State include:

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, first and only Prime Minister of Nigeria

Jude Rabo, Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Wukari

Sa’adu Zungur, poet and revolutionary

Bala Mohammed, current Governor since 2019

Muhammed Abdullahi Abubakar, former Governor (2015-2019)

Isa Yuguda, former Governor (2007-2015)