A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has urged the federal government to include ethnicity and religion as key categories in the upcoming 2025 National Population Census, emphasizing their importance for accurate and unbiased demographic data.
In a statement made available to newsmen, Isiguzoro stressed that the inclusion of these categories would ensure a comprehensive representation of Nigeria’s diversity and address historical grievances related to distorted census figures.
“It is of paramount importance to include ethnicity and religion as essential categories in the census exercise,” he said.
“Historical grievances linked to previous National Population Census exercises—marked by fraudulent representations and distortions of demographic data—must not persist. The federal government must take proactive measures to ensure the 2025 Census reflects the full spectrum of our nation’s diversity, mitigating potential disputes over skewed or disproportionate data,” Isiguzoro added.
He further described the initiative as a critical step toward addressing imbalances among Nigeria’s various ethnic groups, highlighting its significance in fostering equity and unity.
In addition, Isiguzoro called on Igbo investors to seize the opportunities presented by the Tinubu administration’s proposed Tax Reform Bills to redirect investments back to the Southeast.
“We encourage Igbo investors and entrepreneurs to prioritize the establishment of an international economic hub in Igbo land by relocating investments—particularly those in the North and Southwest—back to our ancestral territory.
“This is not merely aspirational but a necessary shift to revitalize our local economies and ensure that our financial engagements promote growth and resilience within the Igbo Nation,” he stated.
Isiguzoro emphasized that such efforts would strengthen the Igbo economy and reposition the region as a key player in Nigeria’s economic landscape.
