UN Commends Nigeria for leadership in addressing internal displacement, calls for long-term solutions

Senior United Nations officials have commended the Government of Nigeria for its leadership in addressing internal displacement and called for sustained international engagement to ensure that long-term, development-anchored solutions are fully realized.

At the conclusion of a three-day joint mission to Nigeria, Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General for Operations at the International Organization for Migration (IOM); Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations at the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR); and Shoko Noda, Director of the Crisis Bureau at the UN Development Programme (UNDP), urged global and national partners to build on Nigeria’s progress through coordinated and inclusive approaches.

The delegation underscored that Nigeria’s forthcoming National Development Plan (2026–2030) presents a critical opportunity to embed durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) into national development and financing priorities. 

They also called on international financial institutions (IFIs) and development partners to continue efforts to scale sustainable financing for solutions, emphasizing that predictable, long-term investment is essential to move from humanitarian response to self-reliance, economic recovery, and resilience.

The delegation met with the Yobe State Policy Advisory Committee on Durable Solutions, chaired by the Deputy Governor and including traditional leaders, State commissioners and IDP representatives. Authorities confirmed that 24 per cent of the State’s annual budget is now dedicated to implementing the State Action Plan on Durable Solutions, one of the most significant government allocations globally. 

“Humanitarian needs remain urgent and security remains a top priority, but durable solutions cannot be achieved through humanitarian aid alone,” said Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s Deputy Director General for Operations. “What we witnessed in Yobe State is government leadership and development approaches in action. Importantly, IDP representatives took part in the discussions as members of the official delegation, reflecting a shift from being seen as beneficiaries to recognized partners and stakeholders.”

Nigeria, one of 15 pilot countries under the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, continues to demonstrate strong national ownership through the National Policy on Internal Displacement (2022) and the rollout of State Action Plans for Durable Solutions in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Benue States.

“Nigeria’s experience shows a clear shift is taking place from humanitarian aid to self-reliance, from short-term response to long-term recovery,” said Raouf Mazou, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations. “What makes Nigeria unique is its commitment to pairing public investment with private sector engagement. Harnessing private capital and innovation is essential to create jobs, rebuild livelihoods, and help displaced families achieve self-sufficiency.”

In Abuja, the delegation met with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. Discussions focused on integrating durable solutions for IDPs into Nigeria’s forthcoming National Development Plan (2026–2030) and on mobilizing long-term, blended financing to sustain progress. The Government reaffirmed that internal displacement is both a development and investment priority.

“Nigeria’s leadership on durable solutions is impressive, and the ingredients for success are already in place,” said Shoko Noda, UNDP’s Director for the Crisis Bureau. “Nigeria has the potential to build a comprehensive model in support of solutions, one that can inspire similar progress in other displacement contexts.”

The officials noted that Nigeria has benefited from the new global arrangements on advancing IDP solutions. Funding to UN Agencies provided by the Internal Displacement Solutions Fund (IDSF) provides catalytic support to State-level data, policy, and coordination structures. As part of the global Solutions Hub, a Resident Coordinator Adviser on Durable Solutions ensures stronger system-wide engagement. 

The UN officials reaffirmed their commitment to accompany the Government of Nigeria in driving durable, inclusive, and nationally owned solutions to internal displacement, calling on partners to sustain support that matches the scale of the country’s ambition.