Nigeria Seeks Greater International Support for Refugees, Displaced Persons at UN Meeting
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting refugees and asylum seekers while calling for increased international support to help countries hosting displaced populations.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard M. Doro, made the call while delivering Nigeria’s statement at the 77th Session of the Executive Committee (ExCom) of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva, Switzerland.
The meeting, which commenced on October 12, will end on October 16, 2026.
Doro reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning refugees to countries where they could face persecution or serious harm.
He also congratulated Dr Barham Salih on his assumption of office as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and assured him of Nigeria’s full support. The minister commended the outgoing High Commissioner, Filippo Grandi, for his decade of leadership and acknowledged the efforts of the committee’s chair and bureau.
According to Doro, the 1951 Refugee Convention remains relevant 75 years after its adoption, particularly as global displacement continues to rise while humanitarian resources decline.
He explained that Nigeria operates an asylum system under the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) Act of 2022, maintaining open borders for people fleeing persecution.
“As of September 2026, we host over 142,000 refugees and asylum seekers from 42 countries, and have received over 24,000 returnees, and over 6.7 million internally displaced persons,” he said.
The minister disclosed that Nigeria had recorded no cases of refoulement in 2026, adding that the country’s commitments on statelessness and the Global Compact remained on course.
He further announced that Nigeria domesticated the Kampala Convention in 2026, with states beginning to implement its provisions.
Doro said improved security conditions were creating opportunities for displaced Nigerians to return to their communities. He noted that the government, in partnership with UNHCR, had advanced the Digital Gateway initiative to provide refugees with secure online access to information.
He also disclosed that resettlement cities for internally displaced persons had been established in seven locations to support the gradual and voluntary closure of displacement camps under safe and dignified conditions.
On voluntary repatriation, the minister said more than 7,000 Nigerian refugees had returned home this year under tripartite agreements, while another 14,000 Nigerians in Cameroon had registered for voluntary return. He added that an agreement covering 2,000 Nigerians in Niger was being finalised.
He expressed appreciation to Cameroon, Chad and Niger for hosting Nigerian refugees.
On local integration, Doro explained that former Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees had successfully integrated into Nigerian communities, with some establishing and leading businesses.
He added that refugees in five states were receiving land, agricultural inputs and skills training to improve their livelihoods. The newly established Public-Private Partnership Department of NCFRMI is also working to reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance.
The minister called on countries to recognise Nigeria’s Convention Travel Documents and facilitate visa issuance for their holders.
He said the government was enrolling displaced persons and host communities in the national identity system to improve access to banking, education and social services. Refugees are also being included in state action plans and social registers, while 10 mobile documentation buses are expected to serve remote communities.
Doro noted that Nigeria reaffirmed its five pledges made in 2023 in December 2025, but stressed that host countries could not address the growing humanitarian challenges alone.
He called for stronger international burden- and responsibility-sharing, including expanded resettlement opportunities and complementary pathways for refugees.
The minister also urged UNHCR to explore increased funding through partnerships with regional and sub-regional financial institutions, including the African Development Bank and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development.
He concluded by thanking donors for their continued assistance despite the difficult funding environment and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with UNHCR.
