Niger’s military government has officially declared Hausa as the country’s new national language, signaling a major break from its colonial past. The announcement, made in a charter released on March 31, also recognizes nine other local languages as “spoken languages of Niger.”
Hausa is the most widely spoken language in Niger, with around 26 million people using it, while only approximately 13% of the population, or about three million people, speak French.
This decision is part of Niger’s broader efforts to sever ties with France, its former colonial ruler. Since the military junta took power in a coup in July 2023, it has been taking steps to distance itself from France, including expelling French troops, ending diplomatic relations, and renaming infrastructure linked to France.
The adoption of Hausa follows a national meeting in February where the military government received broad support, and General Abdourahamane Tiani, the junta leader, was authorized to remain in power for an additional five years.
This shift is viewed as a crucial step in the country’s decolonization process and a reaffirmation of Niger’s cultural identity. It also reflects a growing trend in the region, with neighboring countries like Mali and Burkina Faso following similar paths to distance themselves from France.
Under the new charter, English and French will remain the working languages, but Hausa will now be the national language. This change is expected to significantly influence Niger’s language policies and cultural identity.
In a statement, the government emphasized that the decision aims to foster national unity and preserve the country’s cultural heritage. The move marks a transformative shift in the nation’s language policies, reinforcing its commitment to a more inclusive and diverse cultural identity.
