Department of African Languages and Cultures commemorates ‘2025 World Hausa Day’ in ABU
The Department of African Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Arts, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has marked the 2025 World Hausa Day.
The event took place at the Postgraduate College Auditorium on Tuesday, 26th August, 2025.
Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, commended the Department for marking the day.
Ahmed described Hausa as a prominent language in the world, saying even the Western world used it as a means of communication in contemporary journalism practice.
The Vice-Chancellor congratulated the Department and wished all invited guests well.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Head, Department of African Languages and Cultures, Prof Salisu Garba, said they were not only commemorating the day but also bringing together Hausa language stakeholders to discuss issues relating to it.
He appreciated that Hausa language was doing well in the entertainment industry, saying however that it was suffering low patronage in professional settings like schools.
He called on students and lecturers to pair their Hausa studies with courses in drama, political science, economics or journalism to enable them to excel.
In her presentation, Dr Hauwa Muhammad Bugaje of the Department of African Languages and Cultures, Ahmadu Bello University, reminisced on the good traditions and the way of life of the Hausa people.
She spoke on ‘World Hausa Day: Significance to Literature and Culture’ (‘Ranar Hausa ta Duniya: Muhimmancinta Ga Raya Adabi da Al’adu’)
She stressed the need for embracing true Hausa culture of community growth and honour in the dealings of Hausa people.
In his address, Sarkın Hausawan Africa, Alhaji A I Koguna, said the aim of celebrating World Hausa Day was essentially to honor the culture, language, traditions and bring together all Hausa speakers globally to commemorate the day.
Koguna also said celebrating the Hausa day would refresh the memory of elders and make the young ones inquisitive about the culture.
He encouraged them to participate by speaking the Hausa language and engaging in its traditions.
The late Sarkin Zazzau, Malam Alu Dansidi, was among the distinguished personalities who were posthumously honoured at the occasion.
Others posthumously honoured were the late Prof Dalhatu Mohammed, the late Malam Rabiu Mohammed Zarruk, the late Malam Aliyu Namangi, the late Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, and the late Hajiya Gambo Sawaba.
They were recognised for their contributions and support to the Hausa language and community during their lifetime.
The former Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Ibrahim Garba, was also recognised for his outstanding support to the Department.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (SGB)
Saturday, 30th August, 2025
