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By Andrew Haruna
Niamey, Niger – In a landmark transfer marking a definitive shift away from its colonial previous, Niger’s military-led authorities has formally declared Hausa because the nation’s new nationwide language, changing French.
This determination was outlined in a brand new nationwide constitution revealed on March 31 in a particular version of the federal government’s official journal. In line with the constitution, whereas Hausa turns into the nationwide language, English and French will stay because the working languages of the federal government.
Hausa is probably the most broadly spoken language throughout Niger, particularly dominant within the areas of Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua. Spoken and understood by a overwhelming majority of the inhabitants, it stands in stark distinction to French, which is spoken by simply 13 per cent—roughly three million of Niger’s estimated 26 million individuals.
The brand new constitution additionally formally acknowledges 9 different indigenous languages—together with Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic—as “spoken languages of Niger.”
A Nationalist Shift
This coverage change follows a nationwide convention held in February 2025, which endorsed the authority of the ruling junta and prolonged Basic Abdourahamane Tiani’s mandate to manipulate for an extra 5 years.
Since coming to energy in a army coup in July 2023, which ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum, the junta has taken a collection of daring steps to sever ties with France. These embrace expelling French troops, chopping diplomatic relations, and renaming streets and monuments that when bore French names.
Niger now joins Mali and Burkina Faso, fellow former French colonies underneath army rule, in redefining their nationwide identification and lowering their reliance on French establishments. All three nations have distanced themselves from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), a worldwide physique representing French-speaking international locations.
This rising anti-French sentiment and cultural realignment may considerably reshape West Africa’s post-colonial trajectory, analysts say.
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