By Francis Wilfred
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its unflinching commitment to the protection, welfare, and empowerment of refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, made the disclosure in Abuja at the commemoration of World Refugee Day 2026, with the theme, “Until Everyone is Safe”. He highlighted the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to integrating humanitarian assistance with long-term development strategies.
SGF explained that government interventions are increasingly focused on creating sustainable pathways that will enable displaced persons to rebuild their lives and become self-reliant.” The Federal Government is deliberately shifting from palliatives to pathways by linking humanitarian response to development opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that displaced persons not only survive but thrive through access to livelihoods, agribusiness opportunities, education, and social protection programmes,” he stated.
Sen. Akume disclosed that Nigeria currently hosts over 100,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from countries within the Lake Chad Basin region, while millions of Nigerians remain internally displaced due to various humanitarian crises. He noted that the Federal Government’s response is anchored on three key pillars: protection, livelihoods, and durable solutions, implemented through the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
The SGF emphasized that the growing challenges of climate-induced displacement, insecurity, and protracted conflicts across the globe underscore the continued relevance of the Convention and the need for stronger international cooperation. He stressed that refugees and internally displaced persons should be viewed not merely as victims of circumstance but as individuals with immense potential who deserve dignity, opportunity, and support.
The SGF further disclosed that efforts are underway to expand the National Social Register to capture more vulnerable persons, including displaced populations and host communities, in order to ensure data-driven, targeted, transparent, and dignified humanitarian assistance. He added that efforts are underway to expand the National Social Register to capture more vulnerable persons, including displaced populations and host communities, in order to ensure data-driven, targeted, transparent, and dignified humanitarian assistance.
In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro commended the resilience and courage demonstrated by refugees around the world and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to upholding international humanitarian principles and supporting vulnerable populations in line with global best practices. He also stressed that refugees must be given due attention to alleviate their plight, calling on governments, development partners, humanitarian agencies, and host communities to strengthen efforts aimed at providing protection, durable solutions, and opportunities for self-reliance.
In his opening remarks, the Federal Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hon. Aliyu Tijani Ahmed emphasized that solidarity must extend beyond expressions of sympathy to practical commitments that safeguard the rights and dignity of vulnerable populations. Protection, he noted, includes access to quality education, healthcare services, decent shelter, legal identity, social services and opportunities for meaningful participation in society.
