Biu is a captivating town nestled on the Biu Plateau, Southern Borno. It boasts of a rich and vibrant history and culture. Biu is located mostly in the northern Guinea Savannah
An experience with nature and culture is a rhyme. The combination of a rich cultural heritage and modern life is worth experiencing. Biu stands out from many towns in Borno state. The town is renowned for having the second-largest market in the state. The savanna town is also a hub for major agricultural activities in the country and hosts academic institutions.
If you have plans to visit Borno State, don't forget to check out Biu and get the most out of your experience. This is written to give you an overview of Biu.
The History of Biu
Yamta-ra-Wala, a legendary figure also known as Yamta the Great, laid the foundation for the Biu kingdom in the mid-16th century through strategic conquests. The original inhabitants fiercely contested against this newfound rule, reclaiming some territory during Yamta's son's reign.
However, stability finally arrived around 1670 with the ascension of King Mari Watila Tampta, who solidified the kingdom's borders. The valiant King Mari Watirwa defended the kingdom from Fulani invaders, safeguarding its independence.
Another significant development occurred in 1878 when Mari Biya, the first Babur king, established his reign within Biu. This marked the construction of Biu's emir's palace, a landmark that endures to this day. The arrival of the british in the 20th century further elevated Biu’s status to a formal division in 1918.
Agricultural and Trading Town
The town of Biu is an agricultural haven, and it agrarian nature reflects in farms. Some farmlands replicate pyramids of hay gotten from the massive rice harvest in the town.
Farms in Biu are mixed agriculturally based. Livestock farms include herds such as cattles, goats, horses, donkeys, and sheep. Cultivation of crops is subsistence. Biu is renowned for its production of rice, maize, millet, sorghum, cowpea, cotton, and groundnuts. Biu is a crucial supplier of livestock, grains, and legumes not just locally but regionally as well. Agriculture plays significant roles in the local economy.
The farmers are appealing to the government to complete the Biu dam project to aid getting hay all year round. The reliance of irrigation is dominant in Biu to get a year-round harvest.
Biu central market is the second largest market in Borno state. Its bustling markets are a testament to its vibrant trade scene. Biu Main Market buzz with activity as traders from surrounding villages and towns converge to buy and sell goods.
The market is a bustling zone on Mondays and Thursdays weekly. Here, villagers visit Sell and Buy goods and services.
Biu’s strategic location and agricultural prowess make it a linchpin in the regional economy. Its markets not only support local livelihoods but also attract traders and buyers from across Borno State and beyond.
There are operations of the small mining industry in Biu. The extraction of solid minerals like iron ore, gravel, magnesium, feldspar, topaz, uranium, salt, granite, mica, aquamarine, and nephelite
Academics in Biu
The town boasts several notable higher learning institutions, including the Nigeria Army University Biu, College of Education, Waka-Biu, and Colleges of Health Technology in Biu, which provides specialized training, equip students with professional skills.
The institutions are fully accredited, each offering a range of programs in sciences, engineering, management, social sciences education, technology, health, and business, among others. These institutions stand as beacons of educational excellence, drawing students from across the nation and contributing significantly to the intellectual and professional development of youth.
Climatic Experience in Biu
Biu enjoys a tropical savanna climate, characterized by a distinct wet and dry season. This influences the agricultural activities in the town.
The temperature of Biu is 32.16ºc yearly, 36.38 millimetres of precipitation, and 61 57 wet days.
The seasons dictate the agricultural activities in Biu. The rainy season is a period for farmers to plant and tend their crops to ensure a bountiful harvest in the dry months.
The Landmass of Region
Biu covers an expansive area, approximately 3,325 square kilometres. The Biu Plateau landscape rolls with hills and semi-arid plains.
The topography mainly contains many recent extinct volcanoes. The Plateau is the source of many tributaries of the Gongola River, which have deep cut gorges. The Plateau slopes gently to the plains of Bauchi and Chad Basins.
Geography of Biu
BIU area is one of the best tourist destination with rich history and tourist attractions like waterfalls, lakes, dams, Plateaus, hills, mountains, houses on mountains, precious stones, ancient stone defense walls, valleys, Rivers Hawul, River Saki which flow into the Benue and Gongola rivers respectively, springs, hot water fountains, water coming out of stones at the water table level, which helps the villagers during droughts.
Biu Plateau and Myth
This Highland called Viu (Biu Plateau) in Bura language is of importance in Biu. The plateau was strategically instrumental in the defeat of the Almighty Jihad Warlord, Uthman Dan-Fodio of Sokoto Caliphate, and other invaders/conquerors from Gombe and Bornu Empire.
The Bura historians believed that when Dan-folio (invaders/conquerors) came to conquer in the 18th century, the BURA ancestors lived in the Highlands.
The Bura/pabir people could see the invading Army from afar. And so, by the time they reached their location, they met empty towns, villages, and hamlets. The villagers would escape into the valleys, hills, and mountains.
The myth also had it that Danfodio sometimes met a water body or a bush. This was done through rituals so that invading enemies could not see the occupants.
The Jihadists bypass BIU KINGDOM in Southern Borno and out of frustration to conquer others.
During the colonization and missionary era, the Burma people started to leave the mountains to settle on flat lands. The mountains and valleys serve as farmlands.
Nigerian Army University Biu
This institution is located in Biu, Borno state. The university is a public institution established and run under the auspices of the Nigerian Army.
The school was established in 2018, and there are over 2678 certified lecturers, 31 programs offered, and 5678 enrolled students. The university holds the record as the first Nigerian Army University and Africa's First Green University.
The university is different from the Nigerian Defence Academy. Nigerian Army University is for selected civilians and soldiers with distinctive competence. They are skilled to meet up the security and technological challenges faced by both the military and the nation.
The admission policy of the university is simple. 75% of the admitted students are civilians, and 25% are either military/ paramilitary, security agencies, etc. 75% of the civilian component will spread to all 36 states of the Federation as well as FCT.
The school is safe for students. Student accommodation is located inside the Nigerian Army Barracks Biu. This provides adequate security for students of the institution.
Conclusion
Biu is a town with extensive trade, agriculture, and education experience. Its savanna landscape and favourable climate have made it a good place for agriculture. Biu has a market with affordable prices that is recorded as the best in Maiduguri. Its educational institutions are also top-tier. Visit for the best tour.