National News – At the 16th convocation of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Anambra State on Saturday, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, publicly pushed back against being repeatedly identified as a Hausa man, clarifying that while he is from Kaduna State, his roots trace to the Ikulu Chiefdom in Zangon Kataf.

Speaking shortly after his installation as Chancellor by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Kukah used the moment to question Nigeria’s tendency to flatten identity into simplistic ethnic labels.

His remarks come amid ongoing national conversations about ethnicity and belonging, particularly in a country where regional assumptions often override individual identity.

Kukah’s insistence on being recognised simply as a Nigerian highlights a deeper tension: the struggle between unity and the persistent pull of ethnic categorisation.

Locally, reactions have been mixed. Some observers in Anambra praised his stance as a necessary correction in a society quick to stereotype, while others argued that such labels are often used casually without intent to offend.

Still, among students and graduates present, his message appeared to resonate as a call for self-definition in a diverse federation.

Beyond identity, Kukah charged graduates to embody discipline and integrity, stressing that education must produce citizens who can contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The event also underscored Anambra’s investment in academic excellence, with Soludo announcing cash rewards and postgraduate scholarships for top-performing students.

The broader implication of Kukah’s statement lies in its timing and symbolism.

As Nigeria navigates complex political and social divides, voices like his challenge citizens to rethink assumptions about identity and national cohesion.

His position suggests that reducing individuals to ethnic tags may undermine the very unity the country seeks to build.

Ultimately, Kukah’s message was both personal and political: a reminder that identity in Nigeria is layered, and that true nationhood may depend on recognising those layers without forcing them into narrow definitions.