The Federal Government has revealed that over 3.67 million Nigerians are currently living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps nationwide. This disclosure was made by Federal Commissioner/CEO, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMIDP), Aliyu Ahmed, at the National Multi-Stakeholder Policy Dialogue in Abuja. The event was organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International Nigeria with the support of the Government of Ireland.
According to Aliyu Ahmed, Nigeria is also hosting 140,927 refugees and asylum seekers from several countries, including Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Congo, and Sudan. He reiterated the government's commitment to protecting all vulnerable groups within its jurisdiction. The National Multi-Stakeholder Policy Dialogue had the theme: “Strengthening Human Rights-centred and Gender-responsive Approaches to SGBV in Defence and Security Operations in Nigeria.”
Other stakeholders who spoke at the dialogue called for stronger institutional safeguards, reporting mechanisms, and accountability systems to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) within Nigeria's defence and security architecture. They noted that SGBV affects not only civilians but also security personnel, detainees, and conflict-affected communities. The stakeholders emphasised the need for safe, confidential, and trusted reporting mechanisms.
CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, said defence and security institutions should be judged not only by their operational capacity but also by their ability to protect human rights, dignity, safety, and equality. He warned that SGBV has far-reaching consequences and called for stronger institutional accountability, gender-responsive security operations, and improved coordination among security agencies.
Rafsanjani noted that Nigeria has made important commitments to human rights, gender equality, and the prevention of violence. However, he observed that critical questions remain, including how effectively these commitments and mechanisms function in practice. He stressed that survivors and affected communities should remain at the centre of prevention and accountability efforts.
ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, pledged the commission's resolve to enforcing extant laws and policies against SGBV. He described SGBV as not merely a social problem but a human rights, justice, public accountability, and institutional integrity issue. The ICPC has secured convictions in two sexual harassment cases and established a Sexual Harassment Abuse and Response Team.
Program Manager, Transparency International Defence & Security (TI-DS UK), Yi Kang Choo, said the global picture underscores the urgency of strengthening Nigeria's response to SGBV. He linked corruption directly to sexual violence and noted that women and girls are disproportionately affected. Choo also highlighted the need for increased female representation in the Nigeria Police Force, which currently stands at less than 11 percent.
Key points
- The Federal Government has disclosed that 3,679,757 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are currently living in various camps across Nigeria as of September 1.
- Nigeria is hosting 140,927 refugees and asylum seekers from several countries.
- Stakeholders have called for stronger institutional safeguards, reporting mechanisms, and accountability systems to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) within Nigeria's defence and security architecture.
