# Bida

Bida is a Local Government Area in Niger State, North Central Nigeria. It is a city located on the A124 highway which occupies most of the area
It is located southwest of Minna, capital of Niger State, and is a dry, arid town.

## Understand

Bida has a population of 260,700 according to 2016 population projection and occupies an area of 421.6 km².
Bida is the second to largest city in Niger state it is located in the southwest of Minna the state capital. Bida is one of the developed towns in Niger state. It is home to Federal polytechnic Bida, Federal medical centre and Niger state school of Nursing. The town is known for its production of traditional crafts, notably glass, bronze articrafts and brass wares.

#### Ethnicity

The major ethnic group is the Nupe. Bida is the headquarters of the Nupe Kingdom led by the Etsu Nupe (presently Etsu Yahaya Abubakar). The leadership style of the ancient town of Bida is emirship, and the head of the town is addressed as Etsu Nupe. Tribes in Bida include Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Igala and Gbagi, Ibira.

#### Districts

* Katcha
* Enagi
* Baddeggi
* Agaie
* Pategi
* Lemu
* Kutigi

## Get in
### By plane

Prospective visitors/tourists wishing to access Bida by air have to use of Minna Airport.
6.4616489.8239771 Minna Airport (IATA: MXJ, ICAO: DNMN) (10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Minna), ☏ +234 1 280 0842. Minna Airport operates domestic and international flights. One airline that serve Minna Airport is Overland Airways. The airport serves as an alternate airport to Abuja airport. (updated Jan 2022)

### By bus

There are many bus transport companies that offer bus transportation to Bida from almost all major cities and states around the country. The buses are usually comfortable for short and long journeys. You can travel to Bida from major cities like Minna, Okene, Ilorin, Oshogbo, Owo, Ogbomosho, Akure, Kaduna amongst other states. Some of the transport companies are Nice Trove Motor Company (with air conditioned bus) (with air conditioned luxurious bus rides), Fut Transport Services, Adamu Transport Services, and Peace Mass Transit Limited.
6.0333979.2070322 Nice Trove Motor Company, opp. Jatan Agro Solution, 912101, Bida. Nice Trove Motor Company is one of the reliable transport companies in Bida, Niger State. (updated Jan 2022)

## Get around

The main forms of transportation in Bida are buses, carb and taxi. Most transport enters and leaves the city of Bida through Bida Main Garage Bus Station.

## See

* Kajuru Castle
* Gurara Waterfalls: Is located in Gurara, a local government area of Niger State, North Central Nigeria. The waterfalls is approximately 30 metres in height and it lies on the Gurara River along the Suleja-Minna Road. Gurara Waterfalls was discovered by a Gwari hunter called Buba in 1745 before some Europeans discovered it in 1925 after they found it as a recreation centre. Prior to the discovery of the waterfalls by the Europeans, Gurara Waterfalls was worshipped by people living in communities around it. Oral history also has it that Gurara Waterfalls and Gurara River were named after two deities called Gura and Rara.
* Erin Ijesha Waterfall:
* Esie Museum
* Bida Brass Works

## Do

* The Durbar festival. This is an annual festival celebrated at the culmination of the Muslim festivals Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It begins with prayers, followed by a colourful mounted parade by the Emir and his entourage on horses accompanied by musicians, and artillerymen. During the festival, noblemen travel to pay homage to the Emir and reaffirm their loyalty to their various emirates.
* The Nupe day festival is a traditional festival celebration which marks the day when the British Army was defeated by a native African Army on the 26 June 1896. The festival is celebrated annually on 26th June. The festival starts with prayers in both mosques and churches, respectively Sunday and Friday in the first and last day of the event, the leader of occasion is the Etsu Nupe Etsu Yahaya Abubakar who is the chairman Niger State Traditional council of rulers, the event discuss in the rich cultural heritage and to prevent the tribe encounter's total extinction and include lecture of topic and issues concerning Nupe’s history, background, culture and development its also present a merit awards in agriculture sector to promoting agriculture in Nupeland.

## Eat

* Tochukwu Restaurant, ☏ +234 810 0467277. Take away, Dine-in, Good for kids, Casual. (updated Mar 2022)
* Spicy Palace, ☏ +234 814 5907162. 24hours. Delivery, Take away, Dine-in, Good for kids, Casual. (updated Mar 2022)
* Luqmaz Bakery, Masaba, Kotaworo road, ☏ +234 906 8888080. Take away, good for kids, Casual. (updated Mar 2022)
* Calabar kitchen, ☏ +234 803 2363405. 7:30AM-6PM. Delivery, take away, Dine-in, fast service, healthy options, organic dishes, quick bite, vegetarian options, Good for kids, Casual. (updated Mar 2022)

## Drink

* City Garden, Beside zallack, F. P. B. big gate side. 24 hours. Take away, Alcohol, Beer, Toilets, Casual. (updated Mar 2022)
* District-9 Lounge, Behind ISIMI fuel station, 912211, ☏ +234 806 5686442. 24 hours. Temperature check, staff nose mask, delivery, take away, Dine-in, Live music, Live performance, Alcohol, Beer, Toilets, cocktails, dancing, food, happy hour drinks, spirits Wine, free WiFi. (updated Mar 2022)

## Sleep

* 9.0484886.0017411 Taste Palace Hotel, Plot 195, BTP 16, opposite Federal Polytechnic Bida Small Gate, Doko, road, Bida 912211, Niger, ☏ +234 909 677 4238. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. (updated Aug 2024)

## Stay safe

It is advisable that visitors moving around in Bida should endeavour to move about in the company of the people who know Bida very well. It is also advisable that visitors should be careful and not to stay out late.

## Go next

From Bida you can go to some other cities and states in Nigeria like:
* Minna
* Okene
* Ilorin
* Oshogbo
* Owo
* Ogbomosho
* Akure
* Kaduna