Niger junta ditches French, adopts Hausa as national language
By Jeffrey Agbo
Niger’s military government has officially designated Hausa as the country’s new national language, signalling a significant move away from its colonial history where French held a dominant role.
The announcement came through a new charter released on March 31, published in a special edition of the government’s official journal.
According to the document, “The national language is Hausa,” while English and French are designated “working languages”.
Hausa is already the most widely spoken language in Niger, particularly in the regions of Zinder, Maradi and Tahoua. With a population of roughly 26 million, most Nigeriens understand and speak Hausa. In contrast, only about 3 million people—around 13 percent—are able to speak French.
The new charter also formally recognises nine additional local languages, including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche and Arabic as “spoken languages of Niger.”
This language policy shift follows a national conference held in February, where the military government received widespread support. General Abdourahamane Tiani, the junta leader, was also approved to remain in power for another five years.
Since seizing power in a July 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, the military regime has taken steps to distance Niger from its former colonial ruler, France. These moves include expelling French troops, ending diplomatic ties and renaming streets and buildings that bore French names.
Niger is not alone in this transition. Other former French colonies with military governments, such as Mali and Burkina Faso, are taking similar actions. All three countries have also withdrawn from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie—a cultural and political organisation that unites French-speaking nations, much like the Commonwealth does for English-speaking countries.
