UNHCR submission to the

International Development Committee inquiry:

The UK’s development partnership with Nigeria

Introduction

1. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a non-political organization entrusted by the United Nations General Assembly with responsibility for providing international protection to refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons, and working towards sustainable solutions to their plight. UNHCR also works closely with States, United Nations (UN) agencies and other partners to secure protection and pursue solutions for internally displaced people (IDPs).

2. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries including those from which people have been forced to flee, and those where large numbers of refugees and IDPs are hosted. Over ninety per cent of UNHCR’s workforce is based in field operations outside its Geneva headquarters.

3. In Nigeria, UNHCR is active across the geopolitical zones of North East (in the states of Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba), North West (Katsina, Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara), North Central (Benue, Abuja), South-South (Cross River, Akwa Ibom) and South West (Lagos) which host most of the displaced communities. Given the federal system of government, engaging with each state brings its own opportunities and challenges. While UNHCR responds actively to humanitarian emergencies, its primary focus in Nigeria is to help bring stability to the country by protecting and pursuing protection-based sustainable solutions for refugees and IDP communities – many of whom who live in active combat zones or in extremely remote locations – together with the government, humanitarian and development partners and the private sector.  

4. UNHCR welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the International Development Committee’s inquiry. This written submission provides some background on the large-scale forced displacement crisis currently facing Nigeria, which is a key challenge to both its development and its security; and suggests opportunities for the United Kingdom (UK) to further engage in addressing this matter in partnership with the government, the private sector, development banks, the UN and other critical partners. As such, the submission aims to cover many of the key questions posed by the inquiry.

5. While the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) does not currently fund UNHCR in Nigeria, it collaborates closely on issues relating to forced displacement across the country. The UK High Commissioner chairs a North East Ambassador's forum to which UNHCR is invited and where key developments in the North East of the country are discussed. Bilaterally, UNHCR and FCDO frequently exchange views on how to align and leverage resources to be more effective, enhance our engagement with partners, and on strategies and approaches that benefit forcibly displaced and host communities.

Background

Forced Displacement in Nigeria

6. Of the 122.1 million people forcibly displaced around the world (as of end April 2025), three per cent are Nigerian nationals. This includes around 3.6 million Nigerians who are internally displaced, and around 400,000 who have sought asylum in neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon. The number of IDPs is rising every year. Nigeria is also host to around 140,000 asylum-seekers and refugees, mainly from Cameroon and residing in the southern states.

7. Most IDPs in Nigeria, as well as Nigerian refugees residing in neighbouring countries, have been displaced from Borno State due to the ongoing insurgency in the North East. Benue state in the North Central geopolitical zone hosts the second largest number of IDPs, largely due to the farmer-herder conflict, banditry and natural disasters. Prior to the deterioration in the security situation, Borno and Benue were traditionally the largest producers of food crops in the country. The North West is also increasingly experiencing forced displacement due to banditry and natural disasters with a rise in attacks against civilians.

Legal and Policy Framework

8. Nigeria’s asylum policies, laws, and institutions are generally aligned with international refugee law. Despite stretched resources and security concerns, Nigeria has kept its borders open to asylum-seekers and, with UNHCR’s ongoing support, has established a procedure to adjudicate asylum claims. There is no known case of refoulement[1] recorded in recent history. The government has embarked on an initiative with UNHCR to integrate refugee camps into the host communities. This will allow refugees to exercise their right to move freely and find work, while at the same time ensure that UNHCR’s area-based investments -- such as upgrading health centres, schools and creating livelihood opportunities -- benefit both host and refugee communities equally. Over time, UNHCR should be able to phase out its programmes as communities become self-reliant.

9. Nigeria is arguably a global leader in pursuing solutions for IDPs. A bill domesticating the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa has recently been approved by the parliament.  Under the Secretary General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, UNHCR has supported the federal government, as well as the states of Benue, Yobe, Adamawa and Borno in developing action plans to resolve the situation of forced displacement. These states have also allocated part of their budgets towards this critical issue.

10. The National Human Rights Commission, which has a presence in all the states of Nigeria, remains independent and works closely with UNHCR in monitoring and addressing human rights concerns faced by forcibly displaced persons, including accessing government services. They are building a network of civil society and grassroot level partners to collaborate with on this issue.

Challenges in addressing the forced displacement crisis

Security

11. Ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians across the country remains of primary concern. Nigeria places sixth on the Global Terrorism Index. Insurgency groups in the North East and armed groups across the country are using ever more sophisticated means of attacking civilians. The fragmentation of the Multi-national Joint Task Force has not helped the situation in North East Nigeria either. This is causing large-scale forced displacement, that in turn is resulting in a loss of livelihoods, a deterioration in food security and a rise in malnutrition. Loss of life, abductions, family separations, gender-based violence and child protection concerns have been on the rise in recent months – some coinciding with the global reduction in humanitarian and development investment in the country.

12. Political and military experts have repeatedly underscored that a military solution itself will not resolve the security crisis. The need for targeted humanitarian and development support, focusing on saving lives and empowering communities economically is critical. These investments, when properly made, stave off the recruitment drive by insurgents and bandits that mainly target young men, and allow communities to access basic health care and educational services and live in dignity.

Economic

13. Nigeria is a regional power and Africa’s third largest economy with vast reserves of oil and other minerals, as well as a vibrant creative community invested in film, literature, fashion and music. Yet, the currency (Naira) has devalued by over 100% since 2023. Inflation hit a 30-year high in 2024 but has since fallen to 22.75% as of June 2025. Loan interest rates are currently 27.5% making it unaffordable for businesses and individuals to borrow money. Healthcare and education systems are weak. Food insecurity and severe acute malnutrition, especially during the annual ‘lean season’ – where communities have exhausted their savings at the beginning of the planting season – are likely to be worse this year. Nigeria has one of the world’s lowest per-capita social spending levels and 88.5 million Nigerians live below the poverty line. This disproportionately impacts fragile communities, including those that are forcibly displaced. The global economic uncertainty, the security situation and the crisis of forced displacement have also not helped Nigeria’s economy.

14. Yet, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has noted that the current government has made much-needed yet unpopular changes to its economy to improve macroeconomic stability that has resulted in a credit rating upgrade. These adjustments will take time to consolidate and benefit fragile communities. Therefore, in the coming years these changes need to be supported by the international community while making a concerted effort to address the needs of marginalized communities. Efforts are being made by the World Bank, the United Nations and development partners including FCDO to support the government in re-establishing a credible social safety net programme. This will take time.

15. The private sector is also more engaged in building Nigeria’s economy. However, at the UNHCR organized 2024 Africa Roundtable on Private Sector Solutions to Internal Displacement, it was clear that the private sector would require substantive support in derisking any potential investments in the northern states, due to the lack of infrastructure and security. As a result, the energy and agriculture sectors that can potentially improve the economy of Nigeria, remain significantly underfunded especially in the north of the country.

Social cohesion

16. The economic and security challenges of the country are impacting how communities – that draw their identity from their state or origin, their tribe and their religion -- interact across Nigeria. The divide between the more prosperous south and the less developed north is becoming more evident every year. Persons with specific needs, the elderly, persons with disabilities, single parents and others are being left behind, especially during humanitarian emergencies. Up to seventy percent of gender-based violence recorded by UNHCR occurs during the lean season when malnutrition is at its highest. Parents in the north are losing their children to the insurgency and other armed groups. The lack of resources has exacerbated the conflict between farmers and herders currently focused on the state of Benue, and if not addressed effectively, it can be anticipated that this will over time spread across other states, becoming worse as weapons and extremist ideology flow from the North East to the North Central states.

17. It is critical to change the nature of support to forcibly displaced communities. In our conversations with displaced communities across the country, they have asked for support to return home safely and/or help in finding a job so that they can support themselves and their families. They would prefer not to receive handouts. UNHCR has consequently realigned its efforts to meet the aspirations of displaced communities. UNHCR has transitioned from substitutional humanitarian services to providing more cost-effective, protection-based sustainable solutions to forcibly displaced communities in partnership with development partners, the government and the private sector. For instance, various state governments have allocated around 2,500 hectares of land that will be developed by the government, private sector and UNHCR to enable refugees and displaced communities to relocate and begin farming. This provides a durable solution for forcibly displaced communities as they become self-reliant. It also helps address the food security crisis that Nigeria faces; with sufficient resourcing, persons with specific protection risks, including women at risk, would benefit from these initiatives; and UNHCR’s footprint would become much lighter over the years in relation to the refugee community.

Regional dimensions

18. The Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) currently led by Nigeria, fosters dialogue enhances cross-border coordination, and enables multi-stakeholder engagement to advance the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience in Boko Haram-affected areas in the Lake Chad Basin Region (RS-SRR). The LCBC also provides political leadership to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) aimed to restore regional security. FCDO, UNHCR and others engage in the LCBC Governors’ Forum, which has served an important platform for cross-border and regional interaction. In 2025, the Forum underscored the need to accelerate the shift from traditional humanitarian approaches toward integrated solutions that leverage the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. The Special Multi-Partner Delivery Fund (SMDF) and the Nexus Funding Facility (NFF) launched during the forum aim to enhance resilience, promote sustainable development, and advance peace across the region. This offers an opportunity for FCDO to continue to reinforce its support to regional stabilization.

19. Despite Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso recently withdrawing from the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS, based in Abuja, Nigeria) and forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Nigeria has taken proactive diplomatic measures to preserve regional cohesion, including inviting AES states to the 2025 West Africa Economic Summit. These efforts underscore Nigeria’s role as a stabilizing force and a regional convenor, and the importance of FCDO continuing to engage with them to ensure regional economic security and growth. Nigeria’s policies and leadership directly shape protection and solutions across ECOWAS. Through active collaboration with ECOWAS on frameworks like the Banjul Plan of Action, the Global Compact for Refugees, the ECOWAS Implementation Action Plan 2023-2026, and National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons, among others, Nigeria drives regional efforts to address forced displacement, statelessness, and cross-border humanitarian crises. For FCDO, deepening engagement with Nigeria — while reinforcing its nexus with ECOWAS — offers a unique opportunity to influence comprehensive, region-wide strategies that safeguard vulnerable populations, strengthen migration governance, and promote durable solutions. This approach ensures that humanitarian responses are not only nationally anchored but also regionally coherent and sustainable, amplifying the UK’s impact in line with its global commitments. Initiatives such as FCDO’s Social Protection Technical Assistance, Advice, and Resources Facility offer a strategic platform to extend solutions to both refugees and host communities.

Issues for consideration

20. Nigeria’s government, both at the federal and state level, is acutely aware of the challenges facing the country and appears committed to addressing them. For forcibly displaced communities, many of whom live in active conflict zones or unsafe areas, there are some positive signs of government engagement, including maintaining an asylum system, the integration of refugee camps, investment in the Action Agenda on Forced Displacement, combatting terrorism and working with UNHCR to provide critical livelihood support.

21. Despite the commitment and investments made by Nigeria to address the challenges, sustained multi-year support from development partners will be critical to allow the country and its people to truly become self-reliant. Nigeria still requires technical and financial support to augment its own resources and investments. FCDO’s engagement in Nigeria – both on the humanitarian and development front - plays a catalytic role, without which it would be even more difficult to protect and find solutions for the forcibly displaced.

22. It is recommended that FCDO maintains its current funding levels for Nigeria over the next three to five years. In doing so, and based on our experience, we would recommend that FCDO:

1. Enhance development solutions for humanitarian challenges - such as forced displacement - more actively. For example, FCDO’s continued support in the power and agricultural industries, especially in the north, will help address the severe food and malnutrition crisis that the country is facing. It will also boost the economy and make it easier to seek sustainable solutions for forcibly displaced communities. FCDO’s current approach to modernizing partnerships domestically in the humanitarian and development spheres – where the private sector and non-traditional partners engage more actively, and where existing partnerships and approaches are reset -- will accelerate Nigeria’s ability to become economically self-reliant.

2. Leverage government resources and enhance efforts to find sustainable solutions for forcibly displaced Nigerians and refugees in active conflict zones and remote locations. While the northern states receive a high level of attention, it is important not to overlook the increasing violence and forced displacement in states such Benue and Plateau in North Central. Benue is home to the largest number of IDPs after Borno, and both states have traditionally been meeting most of Nigeria’s food requirements. Displaced communities are agents of change. Finding solutions for them helps stabilize the country and grow the economy.

3. Consider partnering with the private sector in investing in displaced communities, especially in the north. FCDO is well respected by impact investors and others within industry. Supporting companies to invest more actively in states with large forcibly displaced communities – including through derisking mechanisms and technical capacity building - would ensure mutual benefit to both countries and simultaneously benefit the most fragile and marginalized communities in Nigeria.

4. Continue to actively engage with Nigeria on regional issues, not least through ECOWAS and the Lake Chad Basin Commission that contributes to security, economic and social cohesion in the region. This is even more important since the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States formed in September 2023 by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

23. UNHCR values the work of FCDO in Nigeria as well as our strategic engagement, and wishes to support this IDC inquiry in whatever way is most apt.  We would welcome the opportunity to meet Committee Members in Nigeria and/or to facilitate discussions with displaced communities to gain a deeper understanding of their situation. We are also available to supplement this submission with oral evidence through an online briefing if helpful.

UNHCR

29 August 2025

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