Newsbreak: Niger Republic adopts Hausa as Official language, drops French

By Ologeh Joseph Chibu

Niger Republic has adopted Hausa as official language after almost a century of using French as its linqua franca. The country will be the first African country to adopt indigenous language as her most valued tongue.

The former French Colony has had a strained relationship with her former ally.

The country has now officially adopted Hausa as the official language.

The West African country set the new tone in a new charter released to the public.

Hausa is the indigenous language of majority of people in Niger but for many decades, French has been the official language.

Civilian President Mohamed Bazoum was removed in a coup in July 2023 while the new leaders suspended the constitution.

President, Abdourahamane Tchiani then assumed power and only recently secured authority for five years term.

The Sahel state has adopted the Charter of Refoundation, which the government says will be executed as state law.

Article 12 of the law says “The national language is Hausa… and the working languages are English and French.”

Other languages recognised are Zarma-Songhay, Fulfulde (Peul), Kanuri, Gourmantche, and Arabic, now designated as ‘spoken languages’ of Niger.

The new transition charter was released after a National Conference held in February.

Earlier in March, Niger and its soulmates Burkina Faso and Mali had stepped out of the global French-speaking group referred to as the International Organization of Francophone Nations (OIF), in March.

The three countries then established – the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

They had accused the OIF of shifting its focua from its primary mission.

The three countries were founding members of OIF when it was first established in Niamey on March 20, 1970.