“If you think you are superior, why didn’t you people allow for the census?” – Enenche Urges FG to Conduct Credible Census to End Religious Population Dispute

Enenche Urges FG to Conduct Credible Census to End Religious Population Dispute.

The debate over whether Nigeria has more Christians or Muslims has been around for decades. No one seems to agree on the numbers. But for Senior Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, the answer is simple: conduct a proper census and let Nigerians state their religion for themselves.

Speaking during his Sunday service at the church’s headquarters in Abuja, Enenche addressed recent comments made by Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahya Jingir, who had claimed that Muslims outnumber Christians in Nigeria. Rather than trading arguments or counterclaims, Enenche threw down a different kind of challenge — to the Federal Government.

“If you think you are superior, why didn’t you people allow for the census all these while?” he asked his congregation.

His words were direct. For him, the only way to settle the argument once and for all is through a credible national population census that includes a question on religious affiliation. Without that, he argued, everyone is simply guessing or making claims based on personal beliefs rather than facts.

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Nigeria has not conducted a credible population census in years. The last census that was widely accepted took place in 2006, and even that one had its share of controversies. Questions about ethnicity and religion have often been left out or handled poorly, partly because of how sensitive these topics can be in a country that is roughly divided between the Muslim-majority north and the Christian-majority south.

But Enenche’s comments bring the issue back into the spotlight. He warned that Christians should not be taken for granted, insisting that their presence across the country is strong and cannot be ignored. His message appeared to be directed not just at the government, but also at those who believe Christianity is a minority faith in Nigeria.

Reactions to his statement have been mixed. On one side, some Nigerians agree that a proper census with religious data would put the argument to rest. They argue that without accurate numbers, every claim about religious dominance is simply speculation.

On the other side, there are concerns that asking about religion in a census could deepen divisions in an already troubled country. Some worry that the results could be used by politicians to stir up ethnic or religious tensions, especially during election seasons. Others point out that a person’s religion is a personal matter and should not be reduced to a statistic for political gain.

Beyond the numbers, Enenche’s challenge raises a bigger question: How well does Nigeria really know itself? Without accurate data on population, the government struggles to plan for things like schools, hospitals, and roads. Adding religion to the mix only makes the job harder. But for many Nigerians, knowing the religious breakdown of the country is about more than just numbers — it is about recognition and representation.

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Enenche made it clear that he is not afraid of what a census might show. He believes the Christian community is large enough to stand on its own. His challenge to the government seemed to come from a place of confidence.

“If you think you are superior, why didn’t you people allow for the census?” he repeated, pressing the point home.

For now, the Federal Government has not responded to Enenche’s challenge. There has been talk of a new national census for some time, but it has not materialized. Whether religion will be included in that census remains to be seen.

What is clear is that the debate over Nigeria’s religious makeup is far from over. Enenche’s comments have added fuel to the fire, and many Nigerians are now asking the same question he raised: If the numbers are so clear to some people, why has there been no proper census to confirm them?

A Question for Nigerians

At the heart of this issue is a simple question: Should religion be included in Nigeria’s next population census? For Enenche, the answer is yes. For others, the answer is more complicated.

Supporters of including religion say it would settle debates, help with planning, and give every group a fair voice. Opponents worry about the potential for conflict, manipulation, and misuse of the data.

One thing is certain: until a credible census is conducted, Nigeria will continue to rely on estimates and guesses. And as long as that is the case, arguments over who is more numerous will continue to surface.

Enenche has made his position clear. The ball is now in the court of the government. Whether they choose to pick it up or leave it lying there will say a lot about how Nigeria handles one of its most sensitive topics.