Population figures
Total country population
229,152,217
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
73,720
Asylum-seekers:
17,831
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
3,313,601
Other people in need of international protection:
0
Other
Statelessness persons
0
Host community
0
Others of concern to UNHCR
326
Country context
Nigeria, located in West Africa, hosts refugees and asylum seekers, predominantly from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Mali. Refugee protection The Nigerian government maintains an open-door policy for refugees. Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria are granted temporary protection status (TPS), which is set to extend until 2027, reflecting the protracted nature of their displacement. However, challenges in freedom of movement, particularly due to lack of documentation, remain significant, with refugees facing barriers in accessing social services such as education, health, and financial services. Nigeria also continues to grapple with the challenges posed by internal displacement, with millions of Nigerians forced from their homes due to armed conflict, banditry, and natural disasters.
The Nigerian government, in collaboration with partners, has implemented various programs to improve the protection and integration of refugees. Recent initiatives, including the recognition of refugee documents by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), aim to improve refugees' integration into Nigerian society by facilitating access to SIM cards, banking, and other social services.
...In terms of durable solutions, the Nigerian government has committed to exploring pathways for local integration, especially for refugees who have been in the country for extended periods. UNHCR’s strategy focuses on supporting refugees' self-reliance through livelihoods, education, and vocational training programs. These efforts aim to reduce dependency on humanitarian aid and foster social cohesion between refugees and host communities. However, the absence of a comprehensive legal framework for local integration, particularly for refugees from outside the ECOWAS region, remains a barrier.
The government works with development partners to provide a multi-sectoral response, aiming at the integration of refugees into national development plans, including the 2021-2025 National Development Plan.
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