The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria is currently hosting more than 100,000 refugees and asylum seekers, largely from countries within the Lake Chad Basin region, while also grappling with millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by insecurity and other humanitarian crises.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen George Akume, disclosed on Monday in Abuja during the commemoration of World Refugee Day 2026, themed “Until Everyone is Safe.”
The World Refugee Day celebration served as a platform to highlight the plight of displaced populations and reinforce commitments by stakeholders to ensuring their safety, dignity and inclusion.
Akume reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting, supporting and empowering refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He said the government is increasingly aligning humanitarian interventions with long-term development programmes aimed at helping displaced persons rebuild their lives and achieve self-reliance.
According to him, the government is deliberately moving beyond emergency relief efforts by creating opportunities for livelihoods, agribusiness, education and social protection for vulnerable populations.
“The Federal Government is deliberately shifting from palliatives to pathways by linking humanitarian response to development opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that displaced persons not only survive but thrive through access to livelihoods, agribusiness opportunities, education and social protection programmes,” Akume stated.
The SGF explained that the government’s response to displacement challenges is anchored on three key pillars—protection, livelihoods and durable solutions—which are being implemented through the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
He noted that climate change, insecurity and protracted conflicts continue to drive displacement across the world, making stronger international cooperation more critical than ever.
Akume stressed that refugees and displaced persons should not be viewed solely as victims but as individuals with enormous potential who deserve dignity, opportunities and support to contribute meaningfully to society.
Also Read: Nigerian stocks gain N1.52trn as banking rally sparks market rebound
He also revealed that efforts are underway to expand the National Social Register to accommodate more vulnerable persons, including displaced populations and host communities, to ensure targeted, transparent and data-driven humanitarian assistance.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, commended the resilience of refugees and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to international humanitarian principles and global best practices in protecting vulnerable populations.
Doro called on governments, development partners, humanitarian agencies and host communities to strengthen efforts toward providing protection, durable solutions and opportunities for self-reliance for refugees and displaced persons.
Earlier, the Federal Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NCFRMI, Hon. Aliyu Tijani Ahmed, emphasised the need for practical action beyond expressions of sympathy.
He said protecting refugees and displaced persons requires ensuring access to quality education, healthcare, decent shelter, legal identity, social services and opportunities for active participation in society.
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV