Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged Nigerians to stop referring to him as a Hausa man, saying the description does not correctly represent his ethnic background and origin.

Kukah made the statement during the 16th convocation ceremony of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Igbariam, Anambra State, where he was formally installed as the Chancellor of the institution.

Speaking at the event, the outspoken cleric said while he is proud to be identified as a Nigerian and has lived and worked extensively in Northern Nigeria, he is not Hausa by ethnicity. He explained that he hails from Anchuna in Ikulu Chiefdom, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to Kukah, many Nigerians have developed the habit of broadly describing individuals from Northern Nigeria as Hausa, often ignoring the region’s wide ethnic diversity and the many indigenous groups that make up the area.

He noted that Northern Nigeria is home to several ethnic nationalities with distinct languages, traditions, and histories, stressing that reducing everyone from the region to one identity creates misconceptions and overlooks cultural realities.

Kukah said national unity can only thrive when Nigerians make conscious efforts to understand one another beyond stereotypes and assumptions.

He added that mutual respect for ethnic, religious, and cultural identities remains essential for peaceful coexistence in a plural society like Nigeria.

The bishop, who has over the years become one of Nigeria’s most influential religious voices, is known for speaking openly on governance, insecurity, corruption, democracy, and national cohesion.

His comments often generate public debate and attract reactions from political leaders, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens. His latest remarks have sparked conversations on social media, where many Nigerians shared views on ethnic identity and the tendency to classify Northerners under a single umbrella.

Some users agreed with Kukah, saying the North is one of the most ethnically diverse regions in Africa and deserves broader recognition. Others said his statement was a reminder of the need for citizens to learn more about Nigeria’s many communities.

Kukah’s installation as Chancellor was one of the major highlights of the university’s convocation ceremony, which drew top government officials, academics, traditional rulers, students, and dignitaries from across the country.

The renewed discussion triggered by his comments has once again highlighted the complexity of identity politics in Nigeria, where ethnicity continues to play a significant role in social relations, governance, and public perception.