Nigeria
At the end of August 2021, there were 2.9 million internally displaced persons in Nigeria, forced to flee their homes in the North-East due to over a decade of insurgency and conflict. They flee the farmer-herder conflict and banditry in other parts of the country.
Nigeria is also home to over 73,000 refugees and asylum-seekers. Most refugees – some 67,000 women, men and children - fled violence in Cameroon.
With UNHCR’s support, Nigeria is a generous host allowing refugees to move freely and work legally. They receive primary health care like nationals, and their children can go to local schools.
The government also provided land for refugee settlements. UNHCR’s work for IDPs in Nigeria focuses on protection, shelter, non-food items such as blankets as part of the joint humanitarian response. UNHCR Nigeria also provides livelihoods support for self-reliance, cash assistance, apart from supporting water, sanitation, health and education as priority areas.
For information about our work in Nigeria:
- Visit our country website - Nigeria (English)
- For legislation, case law and UNHCR policy relating to claims for international protection, visit Refworld.
Contact Information
For information about our operation in Nigeria, please contact us through our Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.