Northern Region, Nigeria

Former autonomous division within Nigeria Northern NigeriaArewacin Najeriya (Hausa)1897–1967 Flag Coat of arms Motto: Aiki da Ibada"Work and Worship"Anthem: National Anthem of Northern NigeriaCapitalLokoja(1897–1903)Zungeru(1903–1923)Kaduna(1923–1966)Largest cityKanoOfficial languagesHausa languageMajor languagesHausaFulaniKanuriYorubaGovernmentConstitutional Monarchy(1897–1963)Federation(1963–1966)• Governors Sir Kashim Ibrahim• Premier of Northern Nigeria Sir Ahmadu Bello LegislatureNorthern Regional Legislature• Upper houseHouse of Chiefs• Lower houseHouse of AssemblyEstablishmentHistory • Proclamation of Protectorate 1897• Independence 15 March 1953• Republic declared 1 October 1963 • Established 1897• Disestablished 1967 Area• Total660,000 km2 (250,000 sq mi)Population• Estimate120,000,000 [citation needed]• 1950 census6,383,682 [citation needed] Preceded by Succeeded by Northern Nigeria Protectorate Federation of Nigeria Today part ofNigeria Part of a series on the History of Northern Nigeria Timeline Prehistory Hausa States Kwararafa Confederacy Sokoto Period Kanem Bornu Pre-colonial Colonial Period Protectorate Period 1953–1960 1963–1