Literature in northern Nigeria dates back to the 1900s, though, not wildly popular, a number of quite amazing works were published back then. Over the decades, northern Nigerian literature has shown immense improvements in style, genre, and a wide range of topics, but it has still managed to keep its original purpose; the intent of showing the whole world that northern Nigeria goes far beyond the stereotype it’s been placed under.

Northern Nigerian books authors have put in commendable literary skills and have beautifully developed amazing characters to reflect the lives of the underrepresented group of people we know and identify as “the northerners.” These beautiful works in the form of prose and short stories address the issues faced in the day-to-day life of the common northern Nigerian, thereby giving us an insight that allows us to see past the stereotype placed on the common Arewa man.

Here is a list of some awesome Nigerian books by both northern and non-northern writers with characters developed and based in northern Nigeria. These books have been written so beautifully that they manage to give us an insight into different topics, but from the perspective of a Northerner.

Here is the list of Amazing Books Written by Northern Nigerians

1. The Stillborn by Zaynab Alkali (1984)

This book was considered a milestone in African and Nigerian literature. Zaynab Alkali is considered the first female novelist with a Muslim northern background, and her debut novel, ‘The Stillborn, which was published in 1984, follows the story of a thirteen-year-old girl, Li, who has plans to escape the boring life in her small village to go to the big city. However, fate puts a stop to those plans as the death of her father leads her to take up the responsibilities of her household. This novel is centered on the experiences of Li and her struggles for her independence from the traditional values of her family home, marriage, and the lure of the city and all it has to offer.

Other works by Alkali include, The Virtuous Woman (1987), and the Anthology – The Cobwebs and Other Stories (1997).

2. Innocent Victims by Abubakar Gimba (1988)

This was the third book of the late novelist, Abubakar Gimba. It centers on fraud, abuse of power, and political machinery for selfish ends through the story of Faruk Kolo, the Director-General of the Department of Food and Animal Production. A panel has been set up to prove the department’s activities and during this probe, a lot of corrupt practices of the department come to light.

This novel reveals the power struggles and corruption present in the civil service.

Other works of Gimba include Witness to Tears (1987), Sunset for a Mandarin (1992), and Foot Prints (1998).

3. Measuring Time by Helon Habila (2007)

This is one of the Nigerian books written by Helon Habila. Habila’s second novel brings to book the story of twin brothers, Mamo and Lamamo who are birthed and raised in a small village in northern Nigeria. They lost their mother at birth and were left to be raised by a controlling, status-obsessed father. They dream of escaping their small sleepy village. They decide to run away to become soldiers.

This novel beautifully intertwines history, religion, politics, love, colonialism, and military power into one heartwarming story.

Other books by Helon include Waiting for an Angel (2002) and Oil in Water (2010).

4. Personal Angle by Fatima Ba’aram Alkali (2008)

Fatima Ba’aram Alkali’s debut novel, Personal Angle, published in 2008, delves into the world of politics and business and does it through the lives of two women – Zaria (a lawyer) and Basheika (a housewife). Alkali delves headlong into problems encountered in modern-day marriages, among which is a lack of fulfillment in marriages. The story shows how Zaria redeems her dignity and how Basheika sacrifices a lot.

Personal Angle won the 2009 Abuja Writers’ Forum (AWF) Ibrahim Tahir Prize for Prose.

5. The whispering trees by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (2012)

Published in 2013, this collection of short stories is the debut book by Abubakar. It employs grief, humor, and excellent language use (almost poetic), which makes reading enjoyable. This collection contains 11 beautifully written short stories which are relatable and enjoyable.

The book was shortlisted for the 2013 Caine Prize for African Writing.

6. Sterile Sky by E. E. Sule (2013)

E. E. Sule’s debut novel gives an insight into an important moment in Nigeria’s sociopolitical history. Sterile Sky tells the story of precious and gifted young Murtala and his coming of age in the ancient city of Kano, where violent riots and his own family’s woes threaten to erase all he holds so dearly. After losing two people very dear to him, he has to survive a lot more than just his sister getting pregnant at a very young age. Murtala finds himself fighting demons both in his mind and in reality. Desperate to preserve a sense of self and the future, he hunts for answers in the wreckage of the city he once knew.

This book gives a unique insight into modern life in northern Nigeria.

E. E. Sule has two short story collections: Impotent Heavens (2004) and Dream and Shame (2007).

7. Season of Crimson Blossoms by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (2015)

When this book was released in 2015, it faced a lot of criticism and shook a lot of tables, and here is why. The story centers on an illicit love affair between a 55-year-old widow, Hajiya Binta, and a 26-year-old gang lord and drug dealer, Reza. Their illicit sexual affair gives way to a growing bud of feelings that goes against social norms.

This novel gives a unique perspective on life and relationships in northern Nigeria.

The novel won the Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2016.

8. Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John (2015)

Elnathan John’s debut novel, published in 2016, shook tables because the novel focused on a largely underrepresented group of people and how they come of age. It tells the story of young men seeking purpose in a world ripped apart by political and religious violence. The novel is set in far northwestern Nigeria and follows the story of Dantala whose name translates to ‘Born On A Tuesday’.

Dantala lives among a gang of street boys and during the elections, these boys are paid to cause trouble. After their attempt to burn the local headquarters ends in a disaster, Dantala must run for his life, and on this run, he has to decide what kind of man he wants to be.

Other books by Elnathan include Ajayi Crowther Street (2019) and Be(com)ing Nigerian (2020).

9. City of MEMORIES by Richard Ali (2012)

Richard Ali’s debut novel, City of Memories, which was published in 2012, is a love story set in Northern Nigeria. It is about four characters negotiating the effect of various traumas. Towering above them is the story of Ummi al-Qassim, a princess of Bolewa, and the feud that attended her love first for a nobleman, then for a poet – a feud that bequeaths her with madness and death. All four are bracketed by the modern city of Jos in Central Nigeria, where political supremacy and perverse parental love become motives for an ethnoreligious eruption calculated to destroy Nigeria.

The northern Nigerian books or literature is bound to increase over the decades and lots more amazing books are in prospect of being published.