From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
The National Population Commission (NPC) says that data on religion and ethnicity are not captured on the list of questions in the ongoing trial census nationwide.
According to the Katsina State NPC National Commissioner, Alhaji Bala Almu Banye, the same rule will also apply to the real national population and housing census scheduled for 2023.
Banye spoke with reporters on Thursday, after an inspection of trial census in Daura, Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Describing religion and ethnicity as irrelevant for planning for national development, Banye said that the decision to exclude the the two issues from the questionnaire was taken by the National Council of States in 2006, adding that, “that decision has not been reversed.”
He noted however that respondents are asked questions about their state of origin and place of residence.