The Abdourahamane Tchiani-led government of the Republic of Niger has announced that, moving forward, Hausa will serve as the national language, while English and French will remain the working languages.

This decision follows a national conference held in February, which also led to the recognition of nine other local languages as “the spoken languages of Niger.” These include Zarma-Songhay, Fula, Kanuri, Gourmanche, and Arabic.

Hausa is the most widely spoken language in Niger, especially in the central-southern regions of Zinder and Maradi, as well as Tahoua in the west. The move to adopt Hausa as the national language marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to sever ties with France.

Recently, Niger expelled French troops from its territory and undertook a symbolic renaming of streets and monuments that once bore French names — all part of its broader efforts to assert sovereignty and reshape its national identity.