In a significant step to distance itself from its colonial past, the government of Niger has officially adopted the Hausa language as the nation’s national language. The announcement was made in a new charter released last week and published in a special edition of the government’s official journal.
The document declared that, henceforth, “The national language is Hausa,” while also stating that “the working languages” will continue to include both English and French. This decision marks a shift away from the colonial legacy of French as the country’s official language.
Hausa had already been the most widely spoken language across the country, particularly in regions such as Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua. Reports indicate that a majority of Niger’s population, which stands at approximately 26 million people, understand and speak Hausa. In contrast, only around three million people—about 13 percent of the population—can speak French.
In addition to Hausa, the new charter officially recognizes nine other local languages as “the spoken languages of Niger.” These include Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic, further highlighting the country’s rich linguistic diversity.
This move reflects the government’s efforts to embrace Niger’s indigenous languages and cultural heritage, as it continues to carve out a national identity separate from its colonial history.
