In a landmark decision to break from its colonial past, Niger’s military government has officially adopted Hausa as the country’s national language, replacing French, the language imposed by its former colonizer.
The dramatic shift was announced through a new national charter published on March 31 in a special edition of Niger’s official journal. According to the document, “The national language is Hausa,” while English and French will remain the working languages of administration and diplomacy.
This move follows a series of sweeping anti-French actions since the military ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. The junta has since expelled French troops, cut military and diplomatic ties with France, and renamed roads and landmarks that bore French names.
The language change is part of a wider cultural and political realignment in the Sahel. Niger, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso—three former French colonies now under military rule—have also withdrawn from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), an international French-speaking body often seen as France’s post-colonial soft power tool, much like the Commonwealth.
Hausa, spoken by the majority of Niger’s 26 million citizens—especially in the regions of Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua—has long been the people’s tongue. By contrast, only about 13 percent of the population, roughly three million people, speak French.
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The charter also recognizes nine other indigenous languages, including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic, as the officially acknowledged spoken languages of the country.
This linguistic revolution follows a national conference held in February, where the ruling junta was granted extended powers. General Abdourahamane Tiani, the coup leader, was formally authorized to remain in power for the next five years—solidifying the regime’s grip on governance while reshaping Niger’s national identity.
Analysts say this latest development underscores a growing trend among West African military regimes to reject Western influence in favor of homegrown languages, culture, and alliances. The decision to elevate Hausa is both a political and cultural statement, reflecting the junta’s broader push to redefine Niger on its own terms.
As Niger steers further away from French influence, the adoption of Hausa not only reclaims linguistic pride but also sends a clear message: a new chapter in the nation’s history is being written—one rooted in indigenous heritage, autonomy, and a break from colonial chains.
