Niger’s military government has officially designated Hausa as the country’s national language, marking a departure from its colonial legacy where French was predominant.
This decision was outlined in a new charter published on March 31 in a special edition of the government’s official journal.
The document states, “The national language is Hausa,” while “English and French are working languages.”
Hausa is already the most widely spoken language in Niger, particularly in the Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua regions. Approximately 26 million people live in the country, with the majority speaking Hausa. In contrast, only about three million people, or 13 percent of the population, speak French.
Additionally, the new charter recognizes nine other local languages, including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic, as “the spoken languages of Niger.”
