The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has identified over 3.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and more than 140,000 refugees and asylum-seekers in the country. This information was shared by UNHCR representative in Nigeria, Mr Arjun Jain, during a meeting with the Minister of Budget, Senator Atiku Bagudu in Abuja. The meeting aimed to discuss the proposed Leadership Alliance for Enterprise, Acceleration and Prosperity (LEAP), an initiative to mobilise private investment for displacement-affected and fragile communities.
UNHCR is seeking to move beyond traditional humanitarian assistance by promoting sustainable livelihoods, self-reliance and private-sector investment for displaced and host communities. To achieve this, the organisation has intensified its engagement with the private sector, state governments and development partners to develop practical economic solutions for communities affected by displacement. This includes a partnership with Tropical General Investments (TGI) to expand agricultural livelihood opportunities in Benue and Cross River states.
The partnership with TGI, announced in June 2026, aims to support more than 5,000 farmers and create over 10,000 jobs, with refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities among the intended beneficiaries. UNHCR is also exploring additional financing mechanisms with development finance institutions and commercial banks to provide affordable finance to farmers, displaced populations and other vulnerable communities.
In addition to economic empowerment, UNHCR is implementing community-based early-warning and early-response mechanisms to provide timely information on security developments and facilitate responses by relevant authorities. This system can help improve investors' understanding of the actual conditions in communities often perceived as too risky for investment. According to the Ministry of Budget, conditions can vary significantly from one local government area or community to another.
The proposed LEAP initiative aims to bring government, private-sector investors, development finance institutions and development partners together to mobilise $10 billion in investment over five years across 10 states facing displacement and fragility. Achieving this ambition requires private companies to identify viable investment opportunities, development finance institutions to provide suitable financing, and governments and development partners to help address risks.
UNHCR has already engaged institutions, including British International Investment and the International Finance Corporation (BIIIFC), on the proposal. The organisation is seeking a collaborative approach to reduce the risk exposure for individual investors and financiers. According to Jain, the only way to succeed is to bring everyone around the table.
The UNHCR's efforts to promote sustainable livelihoods and private-sector investment for displaced and host communities are crucial in addressing the challenges faced by IDPs and refugees in Nigeria. With the right investment and support, these communities can rebuild their lives and contribute to the country's economic growth. The success of the LEAP initiative will depend on the collaboration and commitment of all stakeholders involved.
Key points
- UNHCR identifies over 3.7m IDPs and 140,000 refugees in Nigeria.
- The organisation seeks $10bn investment for displacement-affected communities.
- UNHCR promotes sustainable livelihoods and private-sector investment for displaced and host communities.
