FG, UNHCR to adopt new strategy for managing IDPs, refugees in Nigeria
Kunle Sanni
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has announced the Federal Government’s commitment to adopting new strategies to address the challenges of managing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees in Nigeria.
According to a statement by Osagie Jacobs, the ministry’s Director of Press/PR, Bagudu emphasized that this shift is necessary as the displacement of persons has become a global phenomenon.
Bagudu made these remarks while receiving a delegation from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), led by the Commission’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, Mr. Raouf Mazou, in Abuja yesterday.
The Minister explained that the government’s new strategy will involve enhancing coordination of financing and planning efforts across Federal, State, and Local governments. This initiative, he stated, would align with Nigeria’s federal structure and address critical issues related to internal displacement and refugee management.
Bagudu underscored the Ministry’s responsibility to engage with development partners, including the UNHCR and other UN agencies, which have been instrumental in supporting Nigeria’s initiatives.
“This support is crucial as Nigeria confronts challenges related to internal displacement, exacerbated by regional conflicts and climate change,” he noted.
Senator Bagudu also highlighted Nigeria’s strong cultural and historical commitment to aiding those in need, a tradition deeply rooted in religious and social practices. This compassionate approach underpins the country’s management of displacement and migration challenges, which are increasingly pressing due to resource limitations and environmental factors.
He further noted that “Nigeria’s historical involvement in regional peacekeeping and its current military and financial contributions to conflict resolution underscore its commitment to global and regional stability. This is reflected in ongoing efforts to support displaced persons and refugees, both within Nigeria and from neighboring countries,” he explained.
Bagudu acknowledged the need for more equitable access to capital to effectively address displacement issues. Despite ongoing efforts, transitioning from humanitarian aid to livelihood support remains a significant challenge, requiring increased investment and resources.
Additionally, he pointed out that Nigeria faces unique challenges related to cross-border migration and resource distribution, particularly in the Sahel region. The Ministry is committed to addressing these issues through international cooperation and supporting initiatives to mitigate the drivers of displacement.
Earlier, Raouf Mazou, the Assistant High Commissioner for Operations at UNHCR, emphasized the importance of shifting from short-term humanitarian responses to long-term development approaches in addressing forced displacement. He highlighted the need to integrate displaced individuals into national development plans, considering Nigeria’s significant refugee and IDP populations and the growing trend of long-term displacement.
Mazou also suggested leveraging resources and facilities from institutions like the World Bank and collaborating with private sector actors to enhance self-reliance and provide effective solutions for displaced populations.
