The National Population Commission (NPC) has refuted claims that respondents’ religious beliefs will be questioned as part of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
The explanation was provided in response to a viral audio message that went viral on WhatsApp and claimed that the 2023 Population and Housing Census would address respondents’ religious affiliations.
According to the widely spread message, the query that touches on religion is meant to reduce the number of believers in a particular group.
But in a brief clarification in a statement released on Wednesday, the Director of Public Affairs, Isiaka Yahaya, stressed that the Commission had left such items off of its questionnaire in order to protect the census data from unwarranted controversy and attention.
It partly read,” To avoid doubt, National Population Commission wishes to state unequivocally that the 2023 Population Census will not discuss questions on religious affiliations of respondents”.
The Population and Housing Census is an important economic tool for development, usually a starting point for any government desirous of genuine growth.
NPC had fixed May 3 for the commencement of the 2023 census.