Niger Drops French, Declares Hausa the National Language

In a move reflecting a growing shift away from its colonial past, Niger’s military-led government has declared Hausa the country’s new national language, replacing French. The decision was formally announced through a new national charter published in a special edition of the government’s official journal on March 31.

The charter states, “The national language is Hausa,” while naming English and French as working languages. This change marks a significant pivot in national identity, as Hausa is already the most widely spoken language in Niger, understood by the majority of the country’s 26 million citizens, particularly in the Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua regions. By contrast, only about 13 percent of the population speaks French.

Alongside Hausa, the government recognized nine additional local languages — including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic — as part of Niger’s linguistic landscape.

The announcement comes on the heels of a national meeting in February where the junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, consolidated support and secured approval for Tiani to remain in power for another five years. On April 5, tens of thousands gathered at Niamey’s largest stadium to celebrate the first anniversary of the July 26, 2023 coup that ousted civilian president Mohamed Bazoum. The heavily secured event featured citizens wearing clothes emblazoned with images of regime leaders and chanting Tiani’s name.

Since seizing power, the military regime has actively distanced itself from France — expelling French troops, severing diplomatic ties, and renaming streets and public infrastructure previously bearing French names. Niger’s move mirrors similar actions taken by neighboring military-led governments in Mali and Burkina Faso, who have also exited the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, a global institution of French-speaking countries.