Faith Nyasuguta
Niger has officially designated Hausa as its national language, a major shift aimed at asserting its independence and cutting lingering colonial ties. The move, announced through the newly adopted Refoundation Charter, also demotes French to a “working language,” stripping it of its former status as the country’s official administrative language.
The change comes as part of a broader political and cultural reorientation in Niger following the July 2023 military coup that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum. The junta-led government has since taken deliberate steps to distance itself from former colonial power France, which has refused to recognize the legitimacy of the new administration.
The Refoundation Charter, recently published in Niger’s Official Journal, goes beyond language reform. It formally names General Abdourahamane Tiani as president of the republic for a transitional period of 60 months, further solidifying military control. The charter has been widely circulated online and praised by supporters of the current regime for reasserting national identity and sovereignty.
This announcement follows Niger’s withdrawal from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) in March 2025, alongside fellow Sahelian nations Mali and Burkina Faso. The OIF, a global group of French-speaking countries, had suspended Niger’s membership after the coup and demanded a return to civilian rule, along with the release of Bazoum and his wife, who remain under house arrest.
By elevating Hausa, a language spoken by millions in Niger and across West Africa, the government is signaling a commitment to cultural self-determination and regional alignment. Hausa has long been widely spoken in Niger, but French retained institutional dominance due to colonial history. Now, with this change, Niger aims to reinforce a sense of indigenous identity and regional integration.
Niger’s push to erase colonial vestiges has also included renaming streets bearing colonial-era names and expelling French troops. France completed its military withdrawal in December 2023, after months of escalating tensions. That same month, France also shut down its embassy in Niamey indefinitely.
Nigerien officials have also accused France of using “Trojan Horse” tactics to destabilize the country, contributing to their decision to sever remaining diplomatic and military ties. In November 2024, Niger announced plans to rewrite its colonial history from a national perspective, arguing that existing narratives reflect foreign bias and ignore local realities.
In a parallel shift, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The new bloc is centered on mutual defense, regional solidarity, and resistance to foreign interference, especially from former colonial powers.
Niger’s language decision symbolizes more than administrative change. It reflects an ideological repositioning that seeks to affirm African identity, reduce foreign dependency, and assert political sovereignty. For many Nigeriens, replacing French with Hausa is a long-overdue correction that brings state institutions closer to the people.
As the country redefines its identity, the elevation of Hausa marks a powerful gesture, connecting Niger more deeply to its cultural roots and regional allies, while decisively breaking away from its colonial past.
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