Nigeria Records 24,000 Returnees, 6.7m Internally Displaced Persons

Fresh facts have emerged that Nigeria has recorded 24,000 returnees and is currently managing a population of more than 6.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard M. Doro, disclosed this while delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the 77th Session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

The minister, in a statement by his Senior Technical Adviser on Information Systems and Data Analysis, Dr Abimbola Fasanu, made available to journalists in Lagos, called for stronger international responsibility-sharing and innovative financing arrangements to address the growing humanitarian needs of refugees and displaced persons.

He said Nigeria currently hosts over 142,000 refugees and asylum seekers from 42 countries.

Doro reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to international refugee protection obligations, noting that the country continues to maintain an asylum system under the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) Act of 2022.

He stated that no case of refoulement had been recorded in Nigeria in 2026, reaffirming the country’s commitment to protecting people fleeing persecution from being returned to situations where their lives or freedom could be threatened.

Highlighting progress on durable solutions, the Minister disclosed that over 7,000 Nigerian refugees had voluntarily returned from neighbouring countries this year under Tripartite Agreements, while another 14,000 in Cameroon had registered their intention to return. An agreement to return 2,000 Nigerians from Niger is also being finalised.

He acknowledged the continued hospitality of Cameroon, Chad and Niger in providing refuge to displaced Nigerians.

According to the Minister, improved security conditions in parts of the country are creating opportunities for voluntary return, while Resettlement Cities established in seven locations are supporting the phased closure of displacement camps in a manner that ensures safety and dignity.

Beyond return and resettlement, Doro outlined measures to promote self-reliance and reduce prolonged dependence on humanitarian assistance.

He explained that refugees in five states are benefiting from access to land, agricultural inputs and skills training, while the newly established Public-Private Partnership Department of the NCFRMI is supporting efforts to expand livelihood opportunities.

The Minister also cited the successful local integration of former Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees, some of whom have established businesses and become economically active members of their host communities.

On access to essential services, he disclosed that displaced persons and host communities are being enrolled in Nigeria’s national identity system to facilitate access to banking, education and social services.

He added that refugees are being incorporated into state action plans and social registers, while ten mobile documentation buses are expected to extend identity services to underserved and remote communities.

Doro further highlighted the development of a Digital Gateway in collaboration with UNHCR to provide refugees with secure online access to information.

Addressing the growing pressure on humanitarian financing, the Minister urged the international community to strengthen support for refugee-hosting countries through expanded resettlement opportunities, complementary pathways and greater responsibility-sharing.

He specifically called on UNHCR to explore partnerships with regional and sub-regional financial institutions, including the African Development Bank and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, to mobilise additional resources for refugee protection and durable solutions.