By Abiola Olawale
Niger’s military government has officially adopted Hausa as the country’s national language, relegating French to a secondary role.
The change was announced in a new charter released on March 31, published in a special edition of the government’s official journal.
According to the document, “The national language is Hausa,” and “the working languages are English and French.”
Hausa is already the most commonly spoken language across Niger, especially in the Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua regions.
This followed the 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Hausa, spoken by a majority of Niger’s estimated 26 million people, has long been the lingua franca in regions like Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua.
