Bauchi: The Pearl of Tourism
By: dayo Adedayo
My first encounter with Bauchi was in 2005, at the dawn of my journey to document Nigeria through my lens.
That first visit left a deep impression on me, a land of striking landscapes, warm people, and stories untold.
Two decades later, as I prepared to return, memories of that early adventure came flooding back. Faces I hoped to see again, places that shaped my artistic journey and emotions that time had only deepened.
The journey, however, began with a test of patience. My flight from Abuja was delayed for seven long hours. In that waiting, my mind drifted back to 2005 , when I drove in from Plateau State, through winding roads and undulating hills, camera in hand, chasing light and meaning. This time, I was returning not just as a photographer but as a storyteller coming home to a familiar muse.
When the aircraft finally took off, my camera was ready, as always, to capture any story the sky might reveal. And then, there it was: the majestic Suleja Dam, shimmering in the afternoon light, its signature drop cutting through the earth like a painter’s brushstroke.
As we crossed into Bauchi airspace, the landscape unfolded like a living canvas, lush greenery stretching to the horizon, dotted with ancient rocks and boulders that whispered of time immemorial.
“Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,” I found myself saying aloud, as the shutter clicked away. Truly, Bauchi is the Pearl of Tourism in Nigeria.
Though my primary mission was to speak at the first Bauchi State Economic Summit on Tourism, my instincts as a documentarian took over.
I knew I could not come to a place like Bauchi and leave without capturing its evolving spirit. From the airport, a newly constructed four-lane expressway led the way into town, a symbol of progress that was absent twenty years ago.
Ahead stood a massive rock formation, reminiscent of Zuma Rock in Abuja, proudly greeting visitors as if to say, Welcome to Bauchi. The road that followed wound gracefully through a verdant landscape, green, tranquil, and full of promise.
As we entered the city, I couldn’t help but reflect: Why don’t we tell our stories more often? Bauchi has transformed, yet it retains the soul that makes it special. The conference centre, a magnificent modern edifice, now sits at the heart of the city, able to host over three thousand people, with side halls for breakout sessions and a vast car park. It stands as both a physical and symbolic testament to the state’s vision of growth and openness.
Then came one of the most remarkable observations, security. Unlike in some other northern states, where checkpoints are a constant feature, I did not encounter any on my journey from the airport.
The true confirmation came later that night, at the Kaura Suya Spot in Dass Park. When I asked the vendor about their opening hours, he smiled and said, “We are open twenty-four hours.”
That simple response spoke volumes. It was a quiet declaration of peace, of safety, and of confidence in a city that has rebuilt itself from within.
Not far away, young men played football under the floodlights at 11:20 p.m., laughter echoing into the night. It was the kind of ordinary magic that defines a thriving community.
Bauchi today stands as a symbol of what is possible when people cherish their heritage while embracing progress. From the Yankari Game Reserve, where elephants still roam free, to the Wikki Warm Spring, where time seems to pause, Bauchi remains one of Nigeria’s most pristine destinations, a place where nature and humanity coexist in harmony.
Its rolling hills, rock formations, and tranquil savannahs form a natural amphitheatre for adventure and reflection. Its people, warm, industrious, and proud, are the true heart of its tourism story.
As I prepare to share my thoughts at the summit, my heart is full of gratitude. Bauchi is not just a destination. It is a living story of resilience, progress, and beauty.
And I look forward to returning soon, not alone this time, but with friends and family, to experience once again the hospitality, culture, and serenity that make Bauchi one of Nigeria’s most beautiful treasures.
