Niger Republic Drops French, Picks Hausa as Official Language

Niger Republic has officially adopted Hausa as its national language, signaling a new chapter in the country’s identity and governance. The announcement was made public through a government charter on March 31.

This shows a growing desire across the Sahel region to reclaim indigenous culture and reduce dependence on former colonial powers.

The declaration, issued by the military administration currently in charge of Niger, states that Hausa will now serve as the national language, while English and French will remain as working languages. 

This development marks a significant departure from decades of French linguistic dominance, a hangover from Niger’s colonial history.

Hausa, already the most widely spoken language across the country, holds deep roots in Nigerien society. It’s particularly dominant in the regions of Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua, and understood by a vast majority of the country’s 26 million people. In contrast, French, once the official language, is only spoken by about 13% of the population roughly three million people.

The shift comes after a national conference held in February where the ruling junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, gained further support from traditional and political stakeholders. 

The same event granted the general an extended five-year mandate to stay in power, a move that reflects the military government’s growing influence and confidence in steering the country in a new direction.

Since the coup of July 2023, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, Niger’s military regime has taken deliberate steps to distance itself from France. These actions include expelling French troops, cutting diplomatic ties, and renaming streets and public structures previously bearing French names.

Niger is not alone in this reawakening. Its neighbors, Mali and Burkina Faso also run by military governments, and are adopting similar nationalist policies, further weakening France’s longstanding grip on its former colonies in West Africa.

While the inclusion of English as a working language may hint at a broader shift toward global integration, the elevation of Hausa signals something even deeper: a reclaiming of cultural pride and self-definition. 

It’s a message that says Niger is choosing its own voice, and that voice is Hausa.