FG excludes religion, ethnicity from 2023 Census questionnaire scheduled for May 3

The federal government has excluded religion as well as ethnicity from the questionnaire for the 2023 national census holding on May 3, across the country. The Director of Public Affairs of the National Census Commission, Isiaka Yahaya, in a statement, explained that the decision to exclude religion, also ethnicity from the census questionnaire was taken in consideration of the sensitive nature of the issues in the Nigerian polity. The Commission, he said, also intends to prevent the census data from unnecessary controversies in the country.
According to the Director, “for the avoidance of doubt, the Commission wishes to state unequivocally that the 2023 Population and Housing Census will not canvass questions on religion and religious affiliations of respondents.”