Bauchi, city in central Nigeria, capital of Bauchi State. Formerly called Yakoba, the city is located on the northeastern edge of the Jos Plateau. Industries include a truck- and tractor-assembly plant. Bauchi is a stop on the railway from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, completed in 1964. It is also connected by roads to Jos, Potiskum, and Gombe. The city is served by an airport. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (1988) is in Bauchi, as is a federal polytechnic school. Yankari Game Reserve is about 50 km (about 30 mi) to the southeast.
Bauchi was established in 1809 as an emirate and slaving center by Yakubu, a commander appointed by Fulani chief and Islamic leader Usuman dan Fodio. The word bauchi means slaves or pagans in the Hausa language. Yakubu built the earthen walls surrounding the city, and large parts of these walls remain. In 1902 the British occupied Bauchi and dissolved the emirate. Population (1995 estimate) 70,000.
