Biography
Victoria Hansatu Zakari was born on 22 August 1946 to Malam Walter Bala, a civil servant and Lydia Fati Zakari in Zaria. She attended primary and secondary school in both Zaria and Kaduna. She completed her secondary education in 1964. She attended school of Nursing at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, University College Hospital, Ibadan and qualified as a registered nurse in July 1968. She married Yakubu Gowon during the Nigerian Civil War on 19 April 1969 in a ceremony held at Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos. She made public appearances because Yakubu Gowon combined his executive and ceremonial duties. Her style as first lady was described as simple as she was often dressed in traditional attire.References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gowon, Victoria First Ladies of Nigeria Nigerian nurses Living people 1945 births