Rev. Joseph John Hayab, leader of the Northern Christian Association, has urged the Nigerian federal government to incorporate questions regarding religious affiliation into the upcoming national census. He believes this is essential to generate accurate data and settle ongoing debates regarding the country’s religious demographics.
This demand follows recent statements made by an Islamic cleric at a JIBWIS event in Kano, who claimed that Muslims possess numerical dominance in Nigeria. Hayab expressed concern that the lack of official statistics allows such unverifiable claims to be used to influence political discourse and create divisions.
Speaking on television, Hayab emphasized that precise census data would allow for objective discussions and prevent groups from using population estimates to intimidate or demean others. He insisted that political legitimacy should be based on national support rather than claims of religious superiority, noting that the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima involved voters from various faiths, including those in predominantly Christian states.
The cleric further called for an end to inflammatory rhetoric, pointing out that Nigeria has historically navigated political arrangements involving candidates of the same faith without such intense friction. He argued that the focus should shift toward inclusive governance and addressing collective challenges such as poverty, hunger, and security rather than relying on religious identity to foster division.
