Bauchi State sits in Nigeria’s North East geopolitical zone, with its capital at Bauchi. The state has 20 local government areas and recorded a population of 4,653,066 at the 2006 census, projected to 8,308,800 by 2022. Every LGA below links to its full town-and-village list where we cover it.
Local Government Areas in Bauchi State
Bauchi State’s 20 local government areas range from the state capital to rural farming districts along the Jos Plateau escarpment and the plains toward Yobe and Gombe. Populations vary widely, from smaller LGAs such as Bogoro and Dass to larger ones such as Bauchi, Ningi, and Toro. The table below lists each one with its 2006 census population and 2022 projection.
| LGA | 2006 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Alkaleri | 328,284 | 586,200 |
| Bauchi | 493,730 | 881,600 |
| Bogoro | 83,809 | 149,700 |
| Damban | 150,212 | 268,200 |
| Darazo | 249,946 | 446,300 |
| Dass | 90,114 | 160,900 |
| Gamawa | 284,411 | 507,900 |
| Ganjuwa | 278,471 | 497,300 |
| Giade | 156,022 | 278,600 |
| Itas/Gadau | 228,527 | 408,100 |
| Jama’are | 117,482 | 209,800 |
| Katagum | 293,020 | 523,200 |
| Kirfi | 145,636 | 260,100 |
| Misau | 261,410 | 466,800 |
| Ningi | 385,997 | 689,300 |
| Shira | 233,999 | 417,800 |
| Tafawa-Balewa | 221,310 | 395,200 |
| Toro | 346,000 | 617,800 |
| Warji | 114,983 | 205,300 |
| Zaki | 189,703 | 338,700 |
Bauchi State has 20 official local government areas. None currently have a full town-and-village list published on this site, though coverage is expanding across Nigeria’s directory over time.
Geography
Bauchi State lies on the transition between the Jos Plateau and the Chad Basin plains, giving it both highland and savanna terrain within its borders. It shares borders with Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Taraba, Plateau, and Kaduna states, making it one of the most centrally connected states in the north. The Yankari Game Reserve, one of Nigeria’s oldest protected wildlife areas, sits in the state’s southeast, along the Gongola River system. The Jos Plateau’s escarpment cuts across the southern LGAs, including Bogoro, Dass, and Tafawa-Balewa, producing a cooler, hillier landscape than the flatter northern districts near Jigawa and Yobe. Most of Bauchi State sits within the Sudan savanna belt, with grassland and scattered woodland covering the plains. Vegetation thins toward the Sahel-type scrub found in the far northern LGAs such as Gamawa and Itas/Gadau. The Gongola River and its tributaries, including the Jama’are River, drain the eastern and southeastern parts of the state before joining the wider Benue system further south. A rainy season runs roughly from May to September, followed by a long dry season marked by the dust-laden Harmattan wind blowing down from the Sahara. Yankari’s Wikki Warm Spring, fed by an underground source, keeps a constant warm temperature year-round and remains the reserve’s best-known landmark.
Economy & Local Life
Farming anchors life across most of Bauchi State. Millet, sorghum, groundnuts, and cotton are the leading crops, grown on the savanna plains that cover much of the state. Livestock rearing, especially cattle herding by Fulani communities, is widespread in the drier northern LGAs, where seasonal grazing routes cross into neighbouring Yobe and Jigawa. Onions, tomatoes, and other vegetables are grown in irrigated plots near rivers and dam sites during the dry season, feeding local markets and traders who move produce toward Kano and Gombe. Yankari Game Reserve supports a tourism trade built on safari visits, its warm-water springs, and its elephant and hippo populations. Local markets trade in grain, livestock, and hides, with weekly market days remaining the main commercial rhythm in most towns. Bauchi town, the state capital, has long served as a trading junction linking the drier Sahel north to the more forested south, a role that shaped its growth as a regional commercial centre. Craft trades such as leatherwork, weaving, and blacksmithing continue in smaller towns alongside farming, though agriculture and livestock remain the dominant sources of income for most households.
FAQ
How many local government areas are in Bauchi State?
Bauchi State has 20 local government areas.
What is the capital of Bauchi State?
The capital of Bauchi State is Bauchi.
What is the population of Bauchi State?
Bauchi State recorded a population of 4,653,066 at the 2006 census. That figure is projected to reach 8,308,800 by 2022.
Which LGA in Bauchi State has the largest population?
Bauchi LGA is the most populous, with 493,730 people at the 2006 census, projected to 881,600 by 2022. Ningi and Toro are the next largest LGAs by 2006 census population.
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