Niger Republic dumps French, adopts Hausa as national language

In a significant departure from its colonial heritage, Niger Republic has officially adopted Hausa as its national language, sidelining French, which had long held prominence due to the country’s colonial history.

The announcement was made through a new national charter issued on March 31, and published in a special edition of the government’s official gazette. The document declared: “The national language is Hausa, and the working languages are English and French.”

Hausa is already the most widely spoken language in Niger, particularly dominant in the regions of Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua. With an estimated 26 million citizens, the vast majority of the population speaks Hausa, while only about 13 percent — roughly three million people — speak French.

The move follows a national conference held in February, where the military-led government received broader support. During the conference, Niger’s junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, was granted a five-year extension to remain in power.

Since the military coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, the junta has increasingly distanced Niger from its former colonial power, France. Actions have included the withdrawal of French troops, severing of diplomatic ties, and renaming streets and public infrastructure bearing French names.

Niger now joins fellow Francophone countries under military rule, Mali and Burkina Faso, in taking steps to reassert national identity and reduce reliance on colonial-era systems.

The linguistic shift has been hailed by supporters as a bold assertion of sovereignty and cultural pride, though critics warn it may pose administrative and diplomatic challenges, particularly in international relations where French remains widely used in West Africa.

The government has yet to announce when the full transition to Hausa will be implemented in schools, legal systems, and public communication.