Professional Translation Practice Between Hausa and English in Government Communication in Abuja

Accurate and culturally sensitive translation between Hausa and English in government communication is essential for ensuring that federal government information, policies, and public health messages reach Hausa-speaking citizens effectively. This study examines professional translation practice in the Hausa-English domain within selected federal government institutions in Abuja, assessing translation quality management systems and professional capacity. A professional case study design was employed, reviewing translation output quality and production workflows at the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, the National Orientation Agency, and the National Population Commission. Samples of 60 translated government documents were assessed against translation quality criteria covering accuracy, fluency, cultural appropriateness, and terminological consistency. Interviews were conducted with 15 government translators and 6 translation supervisors. Findings reveal that government Hausa translation is frequently undertaken by staff with general Hausa language ability rather than formal translation training, leading to inconsistent terminology, calque-heavy translations, and occasional significant inaccuracies in technical material. No federal institution assessed maintains a comprehensive Hausa terminology database or translation memory system. Recommendations address professionalisation of the government Hausa translator role through competitive recruitment of formally qualified translators, investment in translation technology infrastructure, development of a federal Hausa government terminology database, and introduction of systematic translation quality review processes modelled on international government translation service standards. Keywords: Hausa-English translation, Government communication, Professional practice, Abuja, Translation quality.