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Niger’s military-led government has officially declared Hausa as the country’s national language, replacing French. The decision, published in a special edition of the government’s official journal on March 31, marks a historic moment in the linguistic and political identity of the West African nation.
While French will remain a working language alongside English, the elevation of Hausa—a language spoken by the majority of Niger’s population—reflects growing efforts to assert indigenous culture and sovereignty. French, in contrast, is reportedly spoken by only about 13 percent of Niger’s estimated 26 million citizens.
Hausa dominates communication in regions such as Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua, and its selection as the national language has been widely welcomed across the country.
The new charter also officially recognizes nine other local languages, including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic, as “spoken languages of Niger.”
The language policy change follows a national conference held in February 2025, which further entrenched the ruling junta’s authority and granted General Abdourahamane Tiani a five-year mandate to lead the country. Since seizing power in a coup in July 2023, the junta has taken decisive steps to sever ties with France, including expelling French troops, cutting diplomatic relations, and renaming streets once associated with French colonial figures.
Niger now joins a growing regional movement among former French colonies—such as Mali and Burkina Faso—who are asserting greater autonomy by distancing themselves from France and its influence, including exiting the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).
