Bauchi - Transport

10º16N 9º50E, pop (2001e) 283 700. Capital of Bauchi state, NE central Nigeria, W Africa; located on the Jos plateau, 105 km/65 mi NE of Jos and 234 km/145 mi SE of Kano; founded, 1809; formerly called Yakoba; birthplace of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; railway; tin-mining centre.

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 50 KM from the state capital.

Transport

Because Kano is north of the rail junction at Kaduna, it has closer access to the seaport at Port Harcourt than to the port at Lagos.