Korede Abdullah in Lagos
In a historic move symbolizing a definitive break from its colonial past, Niger has declared Hausa as its new national language, replacing French.
The announcement was made through a new national charter published on March 31, which stated, “The national language is Hausa,” while designating English and French as “working languages.”
This shift follows the July 2023 coup that brought General Abdourahamane Tiani to power after the military ousted civilian president Mohamed Bazoum. Since then, Niger’s junta has expelled French troops and renamed French-inspired streets and landmarks.
The decision aligns Niger with fellow former French colonies Mali and Burkina Faso, which have also cut ties with France and exited the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).
The February national conference that led to the charter also granted Gen Tiani the authority to remain in power for the next five years.
The charter further recognized nine other regional tongues — including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic — as “spoken languages of Niger,” reinforcing the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
Hausa, spoken by a majority of the 26 million citizens, especially in regions like Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua, has long served as a lingua franca in the region.
By contrast, only around 13 percent of the population speaks French. This bold language reform underscores the junta’s ongoing efforts to reshape Niger’s national identity and governance, severing lingering colonial influences in favor of indigenous cultural roots.
