The military government of Niger Republic has officially replaced French with Hausa as the country’s national language, in a major cultural and political shift aimed at distancing the nation from its colonial past.
The decision was formalised in a new national charter released on March 31 and published in a special edition of the government’s official journal.
“The national language is Hausa,” the document stated, while noting that English and French will remain as working languages.
Hausa is already widely spoken across the West African nation, particularly in the Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua regions, and understood by a majority of the population of approximately 26 million. In contrast, only about 13% of the population—roughly three million people—can speak French.
In addition to Hausa, the new charter recognises nine other local languages, including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic, as “spoken languages of Niger.”
The language change follows a national dialogue held in February, where the military regime received broad support and an extension of its rule for another five years. General Abdourahamane Tiani, who led the July 2023 coup that ousted civilian president Mohamed Bazoum, remains in charge of the transitional government.
Since taking power, the junta has taken several measures to cut ties with France, Niger’s former colonial ruler. These include the withdrawal of French military troops, the severing of diplomatic relations, and the renaming of roads and public buildings that previously bore French names.
The move aligns Niger with neighbouring military-led states like Mali and Burkina Faso, which have also adopted nationalist policies, withdrawn from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, and pushed back against French influence in the Sahel.
Analysts say the adoption of Hausa as the national language marks a symbolic break from colonial legacy while reinforcing indigenous identity. However, questions remain over how the shift will impact international relations and domestic governance in the years ahead.
