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Tag: Refugees

  • Nigeria pledges support for IDPs, refugees amid humanitarian crisis

    Nigeria pledges support for IDPs, refugees amid humanitarian crisis

    Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and assisting refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

    The commitment was made at the 76th session of the Executive Committee (ExCom) meeting of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) where over 150 countries presented their statement concerning refugee affairs in their countries. 

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yakubu Kofarmata, with the support of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to provide durable solutions for displaced populations.

    According to Kofarmata, as of September 2025, Nigeria hosts over 142,000 refugees and asylum seekers and has received over 24,000 documented returnees and spontaneous returns.

    He added that the country has a population of over 6.7 million internally displaced persons.

    He however, noted that Nigeria was keen to adopt innovative measures to ensure efficient and quality service delivery to displaced populations.

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    He further hinted that significant progress has been made in promoting refugee protection and solutions by providing access to national services for refugees and asylum seekers and documenting refugees and asylum seekers.

    “In 2025, the government, with UNHCR support, has worked hard to complete the outstanding registration and refugee status determination backlogs, and hopefully by December 2025, all things being equal, this shall be done.”

    On other measures to better the lives of the vulnerable, he said, “In 2025, state authorities across six Nigerian states, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, accompanied by UNHCR, provided agricultural land on lease, for use by IDPs, refugees and returnees. 

    “These are in the states of Akwa Ibom, Nassarawa, Benue, Cross River, Katsina and Taraba, amounting to a total of 2,705 hectares of land, to be used for solar-powered irrigation crop production for the most part, fisheries and poultry breeding, amongst others.

    “This support will enable displaced populations not only to have a sustainable livelihood but to regain their dignity and ensure stability of movements. For IDPs and returnees, this promises to be a game-changer in terms of actively promoting solution initiatives. For refugees, they will not have to be subject to dwindling and fluctuating donor funding.”

    He also hinted that efforts have been put in to ensure that refugees, asylum seekers, Stateless Persons, returnees, as well as IDPs and host communities, including those in the hard-to-reach locations, are enrolled on the National Identity Number (NIN).

    He explained that the enrolment will enable them to freely open bank accounts, telecom services, school children registration and access to other social services like ordinary citizens of the country. 

    Nigeria, however, called on the international community to strengthen collective action in five critical areas.

    “We recognise that the magnitude of displacement today demands not only resilience from host countries, but also deeper global solidarity and innovative approaches. There is a need to ensure timely, people-centred responses and invest in digital innovation to develop secure and inclusive platforms that safeguard data while empowering refugees with direct access to their information.

    “We also need to encourage responsibility-sharing to ease the disproportionate burden on frontline host countries and advance durable solutions that foster education, livelihoods, and social cohesion, enabling displaced populations to contribute meaningfully to host societies.

    “Enhancing active engagement of private sector actors and the strengthened participation of development partners in advancing sustainable humanitarian solutions and related interventions is key.”

  • Refugees Commission receives 36 Nigerian deportees from Sweden

    Refugees Commission receives 36 Nigerian deportees from Sweden

    The National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has received 36 Nigerian migrants including children deported from Sweden.

    The Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed during the returnees profiling said that usually the deportees must have been contacted either on the account of their overstayed in their host country or expired VISA.

    Ahmed, who was represented by Amb. Catherine Udida, the Director Migration Affairs in the Commission said on Wednesday that the government of Sweden must have reminded the returnees of their irregular status.

    He explained that Swedish authority must have “give them two or three trials of opportunities for them to return they you failed, it will start processing their deportation because it is different from coming back voluntary”.

    He said after profiling the returnees, they would be provided with accommodation, dignity kits, and some stipends.

    “We have profiled them, identified the vulnerable among them,  in addition we are taking them to a hotel, trying to understand what the real issues are then follow up with referrals.

    “Ordinarily, if they had come voluntarily, usually there is livelihood support scheme that is provided, so you go for training and you’re given some stipends for start ups.

    ” Because they were deported the onus is on us the government to make their lives as comfortable as possible,” Ahmed added.

    He said that sometimes the government would keep the returnees for up to a year, saying that whether they were deported or not, the Commission would ensure that they were taking care of properly.

    He, therefore, assured the returnees that no mater the circumstances that brought them back, `Nigeria is their country and there are a lot of opportunities for them to utilise.’

    Mr Roland Nwoha, the Country Director, International Returns and Reintegration Assistance (IRARA) explained that the returnees were Nigerians who had immigration issues and were asked to leave Sweden.

    Nwoha said that different countries have different laws, saying some countries expected that any of their legal documents should be renewed before it expired, but some migrants were ignorant of it.

    “But what they don’t understand is that you don’t wait until your documents expire before you renew it.

    “And for us at IRARA is to support these Nigerians, help them get a safe landing. Its likely many of them were brought back from detention centres, some were picked up from the streets.

    “We imagine that coming back will be difficult, so what we are doing is to provide them with arrival assistance,  cash support, toiletries and a place to pass the night before they travel to their final destinations.

    “Most importantly, we want to set up an income generating activity to welcome them back in a dignified way,” Nwoha said.

    He said that the returnees were given N158,000 each including the children.

    Read Also: 36 Nigerians deported from Sweden

    One of the deportees said he was undergoing treatment in a hospital before he was deported.

    “I thought they were taking me to another hospital before I knew I found myself in Abuja although I was also was in Sweden to seek asylum.”

    Another returnee said she was married to a Swede and was in the process of regularising her documents before she was picked from her house.

    ” I’m not even well and I don’t have any relation here in Nigeria, all my family members are in UK,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among the returnees were seven families.

    (NAN)

  • Commission vows to rehabilitate refugees, IDPs,  others

    Commission vows to rehabilitate refugees, IDPs,  others

    The Federal Government has vowed to prioritise the welfare of refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), asylum seekers, and other persons of concern.

    The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Mr. Aliyu Ahmed, made this known in Abuja yesterday when he assumed duty.

    Ahmed, until his appointment by President Bola Tinubu,  was  Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa  State (SSG); Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and Commissioner for Education.

    Ahmed,  appreciating President Tinubu for his appointment, acknowledged the responsibilities ahead.

    On his appointment, he said: “I want to sincerely thank President Tinubu for finding me worthy of this position. I don’t think I have ever met him (President) but I was still appointed by him.  I promise not to let him down and  I will ensure that the mission and vision of this agency is achieved.”

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    He also said he would focus on five key areas aimed at achieving the Commission’s objectives.

    On his agenda, he said: “We hope to prioritise the orientation, protection, and rehabilitation of all persons of concern, and protect and project the image of the country.

    “We also hope to renew strategic partnerships and collaboration, formulate efficient policies that can be readily implemented, and improve the welfare of staff for effective service delivery.”

    On other plans, Ahmed said: “We want to offer assistance so that the vulnerable ones will feel a sense of belonging which would make them indigenous instead of being tagged refugees.

    “We also assure partners that we will double our efforts and make sure that whatever is meant for the people gets to them promptly. If we do this,  we will gain respect nationally and globally.”

  • Refugees, migrants will return home by 2024, says Edu

    Refugees, migrants will return home by 2024, says Edu

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has disclosed the federal government’s readiness to return refugees and migrants to their various homes by 2024. She said structures must be put in place to repatriate and reintegrate the internally displaced persons back to their communities. The minister said this in Maiduguri, Borno State, during her two-day working visit to the state.

    The minister in a statement on Friday, September 8, by her media aide, Rasheed Zubair, stated that plans are underway to establish humanitarian hubs across the 774 local government areas as part of measures to reach the poor. On plans of the ministry, Edu said: “The Ministry under me will not only aim at eliminating poverty, but it shall also provide safety nets to prevent Nigerians from going under the poverty line.

    “The Ministry shall establish humanitarian hubs in all Local Government Areas as a deliberate policy of targeting the grassroots, the rural poor that are more in large numbers in communities and villages. The Ministry shall deliberately create job opportunities for youth on a short- and long-term basis, giving micro-credits, vocational training among others.”

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    Edu encouraged the state governor, Babagana Zulum to continue giving leadership and support at the state level. Responding, Governor Zulum assured the minister of his government’s commitment towards addressing the humanitarian issues and poverty. The governor, while stating that IDP camps were not sustainable added that population growth and gender-based violence are issues commonly witnessed in the camp.

    He said there are over 200,000 refugees in Niger, 60,000 in Cameroon and 24,000 in Chad, hence the State must work with the Ministry to bring the refugees back home. He noted that they need shelter, money and job opportunities. The Governor also informed the Minister of the existence of the Presidential Committee that is to return and reintegrate the refugees. “The Vice President is the Chair and the work of the Committee has gone far, the Ministry has a very huge role to play in that committee.”

  • Refugees, migrants will return home by 2024, says FG

    Refugees, migrants will return home by 2024, says FG

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu has disclosed the federal government’s readiness to return refugees and migrants to their various homes by 2024.

    She said structures must be put in place to repatriate and reintegrate the internally displaced persons back into their communities.

    The minister said this in Maiduguri, Borno State during her two-day working visit to the state.

    The minister in a statement on Friday, September 8, by her media aide, Rasheed Zubair, stated that plans are underway to establish humanitarian hubs across the 774 local government areas as part of measures to reach the poor.

    On plans of the ministry, Edu said: “The Ministry under me will not only aim at eliminating poverty, but it shall also provide safety nets to prevent Nigerians from going under the poverty line.

    “The Ministry shall establish humanitarian hubs in all Local Government Areas as a deliberate policy of targeting the grassroots, the rural poor that are more in large numbers in communities and villages.

    “The Ministry shall deliberately create job opportunities for youth on a short- and long-term basis, giving micro-credits, vocational training among others.”

    Read Also: FG donates relief materials to Nigerian refugees in Cameroon

    Edu encouraged the state governor, Babagana Zulum to continue giving leadership and support at the state level so that the overall objective of eliminating hunger and poverty will be attained” she added.

    Responding, Governor Zulum assured the minister of his government’s commitment towards addressing the humanitarian issues and poverty.

    The governor highlighted three priority areas of collaboration, including Poverty which he described as a nexus with insecurity saying once poverty is addressed, insecurity would be addressed.

    Zulum while stating that IDP camps were not sustainable added that population growth and gender-based violence were issues commonly witnessed in the camp.

    He said: “State government houses the internally displaced persons for only a short time as transit facilities, while they try to provide durable solutions from humanitarian to sustainable solutions.”

    He also said the government created SME opportunities for displaced persons.

    The Governor also said the refugee situation was an issue confronting the state.

    He said there are over 200,000 refugees in Niger, 60,000 in Cameroon and 24,000 in Chad, hence the State must work with the Ministry to bring the refugees back home.

    He noted that they need shelter, money and job opportunities.

    The Governor also informed the Minister of the existence of the Presidential Committee that is to return and reintegrate the refugees.

    “The Vice President is the Chair and the work of the Committee has gone far, the Ministry has a very huge role to play in that committee.”

  • Group empowers refugees and widows

    Determined to bring smiles to the faces of widows and refugees in Nigeria, the Belinda Babila Foundation (BBF) is wrapping up plans to make a difference this year.

    The organisation has therefore decided to touch the lives of targets identified as part of the activities slated for its 2018 Women’s Day celebration.

    According to Babila, the organisation has identified and done a needs assessment to make sure that the lives of the targets are impacted well. Plans are therefore in top gear for a health outreach and empowerment visitation to refugee camps in Nigeria next month.  “In line with the upcoming Women’s Day, we are wrapping up plans to celebrate with the women at refugee camps in Nigeria and provide basic food Items to them. We also want to buy about 500 chairs for the Children’s Church. The children currently attend church service and school on the floor.”

    Babila added that that during her last visit in December of 2018, her NGO did a needs analysis of the refugees in order to empower them.  “The needs of the refugees are numerous.”

    She spoke extensively about her organisation’s long-term plan for the future. “We have decided to set up an ITC training centre, tailoring workshop, acquire sewing machines for them and hold a soap making workshop, among others. The objective is to empower them.”

     

  • Refugees in Akwa Ibom seek help

    Over 1,200 Cameroonian migrants taking refuge in Mkpat  Enin,  Esit Eket and Oron local governments of Akwa Ibom have appealed to governments for assistance.

    The migrants told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that the situation in their country necessitated their migration to Nigeria.

    NAN reports that the crisis in Cameroon has led to many Anglophone Cameroonians seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, including Nigeria.

    In Mkapt Enin Local Government, where there were over 300 migrants, they hailed the host community for their hospitality.

    They, however, appealed to the government to assist in rehabilitating and integrating them into the society.

    Miss Shalom Epolle, a Cameroonian refugee, said they were living in deplorable condition and appealed for assistance.

    “I came here on February 21, because of the crisis in Cameroon. Since we have been here, we don’t have food to eat, no place to sleep, the mattresses we have are small, but we manage. Three people sleep on one.

    “Both men and women stay together, no privacy, no water, no toilet; the most important one is food because we can’t stay here when there is no food. We go outside, look for jobs to do to get money to help ourselves,” she said.

    At Esit Eket, where over 400 refugees were camped in a church, the people lamented the hardship that had befallen them.

    They urged relevant authorities to assist them.

    Mrs. Glory Harrison, a mother of three, said she did not know where her husband was, as everyone fled during the crisis.

    According to her, feeding the children has been difficult at the camp.

    “We are suffering; we are hungry, no food to eat, no water and no place to sleep.

    “We don’t even know anyone here to ask for help, it is not easy, please help us, we don’t have bed to sleep, we sleep on bare floor and it hurts our body when we wake up.

    “We have just one cloth, our children are not in school because we can’t afford to pay fees. There are mosquitoes here, but no mosquito net to use. The government should help us,” Harrison said.

    At Oron, about 500 refugees were housed at the security village, where the council Chairman, Mr Anthony Etim, had arranged a temporary refugee camp.

    The people appreciated the chairman’s gesture and called for more assistance from governments.

  • ‘Don’t send refugees back to Boko Haram violence’, UN urges Cameroon

    The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has urged Cameroon  not to send Nigerian refugees back to the Boko Haram violence they fled from.

    Despite warnings, Nigerian refugees and asylum-seekers who fled Boko Haram violence continue to be returned from Cameroon, UNHCR said, underscoring the need to accord international protection to those in need.

    It urged protection for those fleeing insecurity and persecution in Nigeria.

    “This is in accordance with Cameroon’s national and international obligations,” UNHCR said.

    Since the beginning of 2018, 385 Nigerians refugees and asylum-seekers had been forcibly returned from Cameroon, the majority of them in March, including 160 on April 10 and a further 118 a week later.

    In total, the UN agency has registered some 87,600 Nigerian refugees in the country.

    UNHCR said: “The forced returns are in violation of the principle of no forced return. They are also a significant setback to progress previously achieved by Cameroon in granting asylum to Nigerian civilians fleeing Boko Haram violence.”

    UNHCR also noted that it recognised legitimate national security concerns of States affected by the Boko Haram crisis, and stressed that it is important that refugee protection and national security are not seen as being incompatible.

    “Properly functioning screening, registration and asylum systems help safeguard host country security,” it said.

    UNHCR reiterated its support to the Government of Cameroon to ensure that all those seeking international protection have access to efficient screening and registration procedures, as well as appropriate reception arrangements.

     

  • ‘Don’t send Nigerian refugees back to Boko Haram violence’

    The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has urged the Cameroonian authority not to send Nigerian refugees back to the Boko Haram violence they fled from.
    Despite warnings, Nigerian refugees and asylum-seekers who fled Boko Haram violence continue to be returned from Cameroon, UNHCR said, underscoring the need to accord international protection to those in need.
    “We appeal once again to the authorities in Cameroon to refrain from further forced returns and to ensure protection to those fleeing insecurity and persecution in Nigeria.
    “This is in accordance with Cameroon’s national and international obligations,” UNHCR said.
    Since the beginning of 2018, 385 Nigerians refugees and asylum-seekers had been forcibly returned from Cameroon, the majority of them in March, including 160 on April 10 and a further 118 a week later.
    In total, the UN agency has registered some 87,600 Nigerian refugees in the country.
    UNHCR said: “The forced returns are in violation of the principle of no forced returns or non-refoulement.
    “They are also a significant setback to progress previously achieved by Cameroon in granting asylum to Nigerian civilians fleeing Boko Haram violence”.
    UNHCR also noted that it recognised legitimate national security concerns of States affected by the Boko Haram crisis, and stressed that it is important that refugee protection and national security are not seen as being incompatible.
    “Properly functioning screening, registration and asylum systems help safeguard host country security,” it said.
    UNHCR reiterated its support to the Government of Cameroon to ensure that all those seeking international protection have access to efficient screening and registration procedures, as well as appropriate reception arrangements. (NAN)

  • NGO donates to refugees in Cross River

    NGO donates to refugees in Cross River

    Three hundred Cameroonians taking refuge at Okwangwo, a border community in Boki Local Government of Cross River State, have received relief materials from an Akwa Ibom State -based non-government organisation (NGO).

    Mr. John Inaku, director-general, Cross River Emergency Relief Agency (CR-SEMA), spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said that the materials were donated by Collective Development Initiative (CDI), in collaboration with Akwa Ibom State Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES), the pencils and toothpick production arm.

    Inaku said the materials were the first since their arrival about three months ago at the National Park, Okwangwo.

    The items include rice, noodles, soap, detergent, flakes, biscuit, notebooks and pencils.

    Inaku said other refugees, from crisis-prone neighbouring English-speaking parts of Cameroon, were in Ukwa 1, Ukwa 2 and Bashu communities.

    The director-general, who hailed the team for the magnanimity, said the donation would assist the refugees.

    He assured them that governments were concretising plans for a fuller intervention.

    A statement by Inaku said some refugees from the francophone country, who fled to parts of Cross River State, have not been attended to.

    It said the team arrived at Okwangwo after a two-hour journey from Ikom on motorbikes through bush paths and was warmly received by the refugees.

    Presenting the materials on behalf of the donors, Executive Director, CDI, Aniefiok Jimmy, said the donors considered the burden of the host community in caring for the unexpected visitors in the last three months.

    Aniefiok said it was disheartening that more than 200 children were out of school because of the displacement, while their parents could barely fend for themselves.

    According to him, the world is not aware of the humanitarian crisis in Okwangwo and other communities hosting refugees, hence the lukewarm response to their plight.

    He appealed to organisations, especially the United Nations, as well as governments to intervene.

    Aniefiok feared that humanitarian crises caused by influx of refugees from Cameroon to the area could degenerate, if left unattended.

    He promised to mobilise for more relief materials, saying “the token’’ donated was just a preamble and an opportunity to assess the situation.

    The General Manager of AKEES, Mr. Bassey Friday, said his organisation would take interest in educating the displaced children by giving them notebooks and pencils.

    Receiving the materials, Chairman of Okwangwo community, Chief Cyprian Oki, described the donation as a relief to the refugees and community.

    He said the community had been fending for them since their arrival about three months ago.