World Report

Bauchi State is regarded as a model in its commitment to the Nepad ideals of poverty eradication and wealth creation

hen the present administration in Nigeria’s Bauchi State took office in 1999, only 47 of the towns and villages had electric light. Today, most of the state’s communities – more than 600 – are covered with streetlights, and more than 1,000 will be connected to the national grid within the next two years.
Rural electrification is just one of a number of areas in which life has improved for the people of Bauchi State under the present state administration, led by Governor Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu. With its commitment to good governance, accountability, transparency and the improvement of the welfare of the people, Bauchi State is widely regarded as a reference model in its commitment to the Nepad ideals of poverty eradication, wealth creation and regional cooperation.

One of the largest of Nigeria’s 36 states in terms of landmass, Bauchi State extends over an area of 19,000 square miles in the north-east part of the country. It was established as an individual administrative entity in 1976, but assumed its present figure-eight shape when another state was created out of it in 1996. Today, Bauchi State has a population of about 4.8 million.

New hospitals have been built , old ones renovated and buses have been provided

A number of sectors offer potential for development and the administration is keen to attract private investment. “We have resolved to partner with the private sector to reinvigorate the economy of the state,” says the Governor.

A richly varied cultural heritage

High on the list is tourism. Bauchi State has a number of potential visitor attractions, including natural and historical sites, and a richly varied cultural heritage. It is also home to Yankari National Park, Nigeria’s foremost wildlife area.

The state possesses abundant mineral resources, ranging from uranium, copper and zinc to semi-precious stones, largely untouched and awaiting exploitation. A number of state-owned industries have been resuscitated, and the administration is encouraging investment in agro-based activities and other forms of industry.

There is vast agricultural potential, with a fertile soil for producing maize, rice, millet, sorghum and wheat. Some of the most notable growth areas have been in farming, where the state has been supported by the World Bank in the Fadama II project. Large-scale farming has been encouraged by state subsidies on fertilisers, the provision of tractors and the introduction of new techniques.

The state has been paving the way for development with the construction of major inter-town highways, township roads and bridges.

Bauchi’s fertile soil is ideal for large-scale farming.

The administration has also done much to promote the social needs of the state. Notable improvements have been achieved in areas such as education and health, and the state was the first to pass a bill on poverty eradication. The World Bank has made a major contribution, adding $5 million (£2.7 million) to the $2 million (£2.7 million) contributed by the state to urban upgrading initiatives, community-based projects and health systems development.

Thousands of new classrooms have been built and there have been major increases in primary school enrolment and the numbers of pupils qualifying for higher education. Health infrastructure has been expanded considerably. New general hospitals have been built, others have been renovated and shuttle buses have been provided. The administration has launched major campaigns to prevent diseases such as polio, malaria and HIV, which include the distribution of free medication.

Action has also been taken to address the shortage of potable water. New boreholes have been constructed, old ones have been rehabilitated and more than 500 communities provided for.