In a significant move away from its colonial legacy, the government of Niger has officially adopted Hausa as the country’s national language, replacing French.
The decision was announced in a newly released charter published in a special edition of the government’s official journal. The military government declared that “The national language is Hausa,” while stating that “the working languages” will remain English and French.
Hausa was already the most widely spoken language in Niger, particularly in regions like Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua. Reports indicate that the majority of Niger’s approximately 26 million people understand and speak Hausa. In contrast, only about three million people, roughly 13% of the population, are French speakers.
The new charter also officially recognizes nine other local languages as “the spoken languages of Niger,” including Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic.
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