Niger declares Hausa its national language, replacing French in a bold move to embrace its indigenous identity. The announcement was made through a new national charter published last week in a special edition of the government’s official journal.
While French has been dropped as the official language, the charter states that English and French will remain “working languages.” Hausa, already the most widely spoken language in the country—especially in regions such as Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua—is understood by the majority of Niger’s estimated 26 million people. In contrast, only about 13 percent of the population speaks French.
The new charter also recognizes nine other local languages, including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic, as part of Niger’s rich linguistic landscape.
This shift marks a significant cultural and political statement, reaffirming the country’s commitment to embracing its indigenous identity.
