town and traditional emirate, Bauchi state, northeastern Nigeria, located in the northern extension of the state. The town and emirate are peopled by the Hausa, Fulani, and Kanuri, who are predominantly Muslim. The first prime minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, was born in the emirate. The area is chiefly agricultural, the principal crops consisting of cotton and peanuts (groundnuts). The town has several teacher-training colleges and is served by a general hospital. Pop. (2008 est.) 59,718.