Ahead of the World Hausa Day celebration holding in Daura, Katsina State today, the organisers have renewed their calls for the Hausa language to be formally recognised as Nigeria’s national language.
At a pre-event press briefing, the global coordinator, Abdulbaki Jari, said Hausa has both the numerical strength and geographical spread to serve as a unifying medium of communication in the country and West Africa.
“Hausa has the spread and the numbers needed for it to function as a national language. This is a matter of linguistic and cultural independence for the African people. Many African countries are already recognising indigenous languages, and Nigeria should not be left behind,” he said.
He argued that while Yoruba and Igbo have recognition, none of them commands the reach that Hausa currently enjoys both in Nigeria and across ECOWAS countries.
According to him, adopting Hausa as a national language would enhance communication, commerce, cultural pride, and unity.
The organisers also noted that Hausa is now the largest indigenous African language and ranks 11th globally, making its recognition even more justifiable.
“This is not about sidelining other languages, but about ensuring Nigeria has a national language that reflects its identity, promotes unity, and strengthens national pride”, Jari explained.
Today’s celebration in Daura, the birthplace of Hausa civilisation, will bring together cultural enthusiasts, government officials, and international dignitaries. The festival will showcase Hausa heritage, including traditional attire, cuisine, and performances.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of World Hausa Day, which has been observed annually in more than 25 countries since 2015.
