The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has called for strengthened protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) across Nigeria.
The call was made during a high-level policy consultation convened by Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, themed “The Protection of IDPs in Nigeria Through Durable Solutions: Strengthening Collaboration Between Governments, Civil Society Organizations, and Humanitarian Partners.” The forum brought together national and international stakeholders to explore practical strategies for safeguarding the rights, dignity, and well-being of displaced Nigerians.
Governor Alia highlighted his administration’s efforts to relocate IDPs closer to their ancestral homes while ensuring security, autonomy, and dignity. He noted that temporary settlements on acquired lands allow displaced persons to participate in constructing homes and plan for eventual return, providing flexibility and empowerment. Alia also cautioned against the politicization of displacement, urging accurate representation to ensure effective humanitarian responses.
“Displacement remains a painful reality, disrupting lives, livelihoods, and communities. Human rights concerns—loss of shelter, limited access to healthcare, disrupted education, and socioeconomic exclusion—demand urgent, evidence-based, and collaborative solutions,” he said, urging focus on policy frameworks, protection gaps, and durable solutions such as safe return, resettlement, and local integration.
Dr. Tony Ojukwu of the NHRC stressed the importance of leveraging field data from Human Rights Monitors and Community Protection Action Groups to guide policy and interventions. He highlighted the “feminization of displacement,” noting that females and children constitute the largest demographics among displaced persons. Ojukwu called for improved logistics, funding, and accountability to ensure that violations against FDPs do not go unpunished.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Benard Doro, emphasized shifting from emergency relief to sustainable recovery, noting that IDPs are citizens entitled to constitutional protection. He called for operationalizing the National Policy on IDPs, strengthening inter-agency coordination, and integrating NHRC field data into national planning to scale up health, education, livelihood, and protection interventions.
Representing UNHCR, country representative Ajun Jain underscored global responsibility to protect displaced persons and support national institutions. He stressed the importance of collective action and actionable advocacy, commending NHRC for its leadership in protecting FDPs and pledging continued UNHCR support to create an enhanced, protective environment for all displaced persons.
The consultation concluded with renewed calls for collaborative, evidence-based approaches to transform the experience of displacement from vulnerability to dignity, ensuring long-term recovery and inclusion for Nigeria’s displaced populations.
