African Film Archive

North and South of the Niger

1947 — John Page — United Kingdom

documentary · documentary · pre-history

A British documentary, approximately 50-51 minutes, produced by Taurus Film Productions for the Central Office of Information and Colonial Office, with commentary by D. M. Williams. It surveys the regions and peoples of colonial Nigeria, including Katsina, the Plateau, and the Eastern and Western provinces, and discusses social issues such as health and food supply.

Fun fact: It was made in the same colonial documentary tradition as Daybreak in Udi, two years before that film would go on to win an Academy Award.

Notes: Non-African-directed colonial-era production, included per methodology as clearly labeled pre-history era work. Country corrected 2026-07-29 per independent fact-check: institutional records (ACMI, Colonial Film) list production as United Kingdom with Nigeria as subject/location, not a Nigeria/UK co-production.

Verification: verified · Sources: [1] [2] [3]