Bauchi is a northern Nigerian state capital with an older identity than its government offices suggest. Before British rule it was the seat of the Bauchi Emirate, founded in the early 19th century, and the city's most interesting sights still sit around that emirate and early Nigerian independence history.
This is not an easy casual stop. Northern Nigeria demands current local advice, especially for road travel and travel after dark, and visitors should check security conditions before making plans. But if you are already in the region, Bauchi has enough direct interest for a day: the Emir of Bauchi Palace, Babban Goni Mosque, and the Tomb of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
The city is also the practical gateway for Yankari Game Reserve, but Bauchi should not be judged only as a gateway. Its better moments are urban and historical: mud architecture, Hausa-Fulani court culture, markets, and the memory of Nigeria's first prime minister.