What animals live in Niger?

Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa, and it has some remarkable creatures living there! In the drier northern regions, you might spot fennec foxes — those small desert foxes with enormous ears that help them stay cool. Addax antelopes with their twisted horns roam the Sahara sands, and monitor lizards sun themselves on rocky outcrops. Near the Niger River in the south, the landscape changes and so does the wildlife. Hippos and crocodiles live in and around the water, and hundreds of bird species pass through the region. The people of Niger, many of whom are farmers and herders, live alongside these creatures every day as they go about their lives — and among them are people who have never yet heard the good news about Jesus.

What do kids eat in Niger?

Great question! In Niger, many kids eat a thick porridge called 'tuwo' made from millet or sorghum — grains that grow well in the dry, sandy soil there. It gets scooped up with the fingers and often eaten with a sauce made from vegetables, peanuts, or dried fish. A favorite sauce is called 'miyan kuka,' made from the powdered leaves of the baobab tree — that giant tree with the enormous trunk you might have seen in pictures. Rice and beans are also common, and on special days a family might share a stew with goat meat. Food is often eaten from one big shared bowl, with everyone sitting together on a mat.

How do people say hello in Niger?

In Niger, the most widely spoken language is Hausa, and one common greeting is 'Sannu!' — which means 'Hello' or 'Greetings.' People in Niger take greetings seriously. It would feel rude to rush past someone without stopping to say hello and ask how they are doing. Niger also has another major language called Zarma, where people say 'Fofo!' to greet each other. French is the official language too, so you might hear 'Bonjour!' in schools and government buildings. Missionaries learning these greetings find that speaking even a few words of someone's own language opens hearts and starts real conversations — which is a wonderful way to share the good news about Jesus.

What sports or games do kids play in Niger?

Herman here, and Rusty is already kicking a ball around just thinking about this! Football — what Americans call soccer — is by far the most popular sport for kids in Niger. You'll find boys and girls kicking makeshift balls in dusty courtyards and open fields, sometimes using rolled-up rags or plastic bags when a real ball isn't available. Rusty wants to add that kids in Niger also love wrestling, which has deep roots in West African tradition and is taken seriously even by young children. Board games drawn in the dirt, foot races, and a game called 'wari' — a counting and strategy game played with seeds or pebbles in a carved wooden board — are popular too. It's a reminder that kids everywhere love to play, compete, and laugh together, no matter where God has placed them in the world.

What's the weather like in Niger?

Niger is one of the hottest countries on earth! Most of the country is covered by the Sahara Desert in the north, where temperatures can reach above 45°C (113°F) in the summer. The south has a short rainy season from June to September, but even then, the heat stays strong. The dry, dusty wind called the Harmattan blows across Niger from the Sahara, carrying fine sand through the air and making it hard to see sometimes. People in Niger have learned to build their homes and plan their days around this fierce heat — but it also means water is very hard to find, and crops can be tough to grow. That is one reason life in Niger is so difficult for many families.

Tell me a fun fact about Niger.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Niger is one of the hottest countries on Earth, and it sits right at the edge of the Sahara Desert — the largest hot desert in the world. In fact, more than three-quarters of Niger is covered by sand, dunes, and rocky desert landscape. Rusty loves this part: Niger is home to the Wodaabe people, nomads who travel with their cattle across the dry land searching for grass and water. The Wodaabe have a tradition called the Gerewol festival, where men dress in bright colors and perform dances to show off their charm — it is one of the most distinctive celebrations anywhere in West Africa. Many people in Niger have never yet heard the good news about Jesus, which is why it is such an important place for missionaries to reach.

What is school like for kids in Niger?

In Niger, going to school is not easy for many kids. Classes are often taught in French, which is not the language most children speak at home — so they are learning two things at once! Some schools have no electricity, and classrooms can be very crowded, with 60 or 70 students sharing one room. Many children, especially girls, never finish school at all. Some families need their kids to help work or care for younger siblings instead. In the dry, sandy Sahel region, a long walk to school in the heat is just part of the day. Missionaries and local churches sometimes run schools so that children can learn to read — and also hear about Jesus, who called children close to Him.

Who are the unreached people in Niger?

Niger is home to several people groups who have had very little chance to hear about Jesus. The largest are the Hausa, the Zarma, and the Tuareg — and most of them follow Islam. 'Unreached' means a people group where fewer than 2 out of every 100 people follow Jesus, and there are not yet enough local Christians to share the gospel on their own. The Tuareg are a proud, nomadic people who travel the Sahara Desert with their camels and know the sands like a map. The Fulani herders are another unreached group, moving their cattle across the land season by season. Both groups have very few believers among them, and many have never once heard the name of Jesus explained in their own heart language. That is why missionaries work so hard to go and tell them.

How can I pray for the people of Niger?

Niger is a land in West Africa where most people follow Islam and have never heard the good news about Jesus. You can pray that God opens hearts there — that people hear about Jesus and trust Him as their Savior. That is the most important thing anyone in Niger needs. You can also pray for the small, brave churches in Niger that are already following Jesus — that they grow strong and hold on to their faith. Pray for missionaries who work there, that they stay safe and find open doors to share the gospel. And pray for children and families in Niger, that God brings them to know Jesus too. He hears every prayer you pray for them.

What is a holiday or celebration in Niger?

One of the biggest celebrations in Niger is Eid al-Fitr, which comes at the end of Ramadan — a month when Muslims fast during the day. Families dress in their finest clothes, share meals together, and give gifts. The streets fill with music and color, and it is one of the most joyful days of the year for most people in Niger. Almost all of Niger's people are Muslim, so Islamic holidays shape life there in a deep way. This reminds us that most people in Niger have not yet heard the good news about Jesus as their Savior. We can pray that God opens doors for people in Niger to hear who Jesus really is — and that some of those very families celebrating in the streets would one day put their trust in Him.

What language do people speak in Niger?

Great question! Niger has one official language called French, which is used in schools and government. But most people in their everyday lives speak one of many local languages — the most common is Hausa, spoken by millions of people across Niger and beyond. Altogether, Niger has more than 20 different languages, including Zarma, Tamasheq (spoken by the Tuareg people of the desert), and Kanuri, among others. That means Bible translators have a big job to do — some of these languages still don't have the whole Bible, so people are working hard to make sure everyone can read God's Word in the language of their heart.

What's a famous place to visit in Niger?

One of the most striking places in Niger is the Air Mountains — a rugged range of ancient rock rising out of the Sahara Desert in the north. Traders and travelers have passed through this region for thousands of years, and the mountains are dotted with old carvings on stone left behind by people who lived there long ago. The nearby Tenere Desert is one of the most remote stretches of sand on Earth — it stretches for hundreds of miles with almost no one living there. There is even a famous lone tree, called the Tree of Tenere, that for many years stood as the only tree for over 250 miles in any direction. Today most of Niger's people live far to the south near the Niger River, where the land is greener and villages are full of life. Most people there have heard very little about Jesus, which is why many missionaries work hard to share the gospel in this land.

Niger — Kids Missions Explorer

Dorcas Gazelle

This slender, sand-colored antelope can go for days without drinking water, getting most of its moisture from the desert plants it nibbles across Niger's Sahel.

Saharan Cheetah

Far rarer and paler than its savanna cousins, this ghost-like cat roams the remote Air Mountains of Niger and is almost never seen by human eyes.

Dambou

This steamed millet dish, often topped with a peanut or leaf sauce, is the everyday staple that families across Niger gather around at mealtimes.

Tchoukou

A dry, crumbly white cheese made from goat or cow milk by Tuareg and Fulani herders, it has a sharp, salty bite and travels well across the desert.

Fura da Nono

Spiced millet balls are mashed into cold fermented milk to make this tangy, filling drink-and-food that Hausa people often enjoy in the heat of the afternoon.

Niger

Things you should know about Niger

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Niger

Missions in Niger

Pray for Niger