The charter also recognizes nine other local languages, including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic, as officially spoken languages in the country
Niger Republic Dumps French For Hausa as National Language
Niger’s military government has officially designated Hausa as the country’s national language, sidelining French in a bold move to distance itself from its former colonial ruler.
The decision was outlined in a new charter published on March 31 in a special edition of the government’s journal, which stated, “The national language is Hausa,” with English and French relegated to “working languages.”
Hausa, widely spoken across regions like Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua, is understood by a significant portion of Niger’s 26 million people.
In contrast, French is used by only about 13% of the population—roughly three million Nigeriens. The charter also recognizes nine other local languages, including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic, as officially spoken languages in the country.
The policy stems from a national conference held in February, which reinforced the junta’s grip on power and extended General Abdourahamane Tiani’s leadership for five more years.
Since toppling civilian president Mohamed Bazoum in a July 2023 coup, the junta has severed ties with France, expelled its troops, and erased French names from streets and landmarks.
This shift echoes actions by military regimes in Mali and Burkina Faso, fellow ex-French colonies, which have also rejected French influence and exited the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), signaling a regional pivot away from colonial legacies. Read More
