Hausa has been officially adopted as Niger’s national language, replacing French, following an announcement by the military government.
This decision was outlined in a new charter released on March 31, which declares that while Hausa will be the national language, English and French will remain the working languages.
Hausa, already the most widely spoken language in Niger, is used by around 26 million people, particularly in regions such as Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua.
In contrast, French is spoken by only about 13 percent of the population, approximately three million people. The adoption of Hausa aims to reflect the linguistic reality of the country and strengthen national identity.
The change follows a national conference held in February 2025, where the ruling military junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, gained additional support.
In addition to adopting Hausa, the conference also led to the recognition of nine other local languages as “the spoken languages of Niger,” including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic.
This move is seen as part of the junta’s broader efforts to promote local culture and heritage, further distancing the country from its colonial influences.