By Atlantic Reports

Nigeria has urged the United Nations refugee agency to partner with African development banks to mobilise additional funding for refugees, internally displaced persons and the communities hosting them.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Dr Bernard Doro made the appeal on Monday at the 77th Executive Committee session of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva.

He proposed closer cooperation between UNHCR, the African Development Bank and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, saying such partnerships could help address declining humanitarian financing.

The proposal did not include a funding amount, financing terms or an implementation timetable. It represents a call for cooperation rather than an announced financial commitment.

Returns and continuing displacement

Doro said more than 7,000 Nigerian refugees had voluntarily returned home in 2026 under tripartite repatriation arrangements.

Another 14,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon had registered their intention to return, while arrangements covering 2,000 refugees in Niger were being finalised, he said.

Registration of an intention to return does not mean repatriation has taken place. Doro thanked Cameroon, Chad and Niger for accommodating Nigerians displaced by insecurity and other emergencies.

The minister said Nigeria was hosting more than 142,000 refugees and asylum seekers from 42 countries as of September 2026. He also reported more than 6.7 million internally displaced persons and over 24,000 returnees.

The supplied account did not specify the reporting period or category covered by the broader returnee figure, or its relationship to the 7,000 voluntary refugee returns.

Safety and livelihoods beyond camps

Doro said improved security in some affected communities was creating opportunities for voluntary return.

He announced that resettlement communities had been established in seven locations to support displaced people and facilitate the gradual closure of camps.

According to the minister, the programme prioritises safety, dignity, voluntary return and sustainable reintegration, rather than relocation alone.

However, the account did not identify the seven locations, their capacity or the services available. For displaced families, the durability of any move will depend on security, housing, livelihoods and access to essential services.

Doro also said refugees in five states had received access to land, agricultural inputs and vocational training intended to strengthen their livelihoods and reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance.

Documentation and access to services

The minister said Nigeria remained committed to protecting people fleeing persecution under its national legislation and international obligations.

He reported that Nigeria had domesticated the Kampala Convention in 2026 and that state-level implementation processes were progressing.

Nigeria was also working with UNHCR on a digital gateway to give refugees secure access to information and services, he said.

Doro added that displaced people and host communities were being enrolled in the national identity system to facilitate access to banking, education and social services.

He urged other countries to recognise Nigeria’s convention travel documents and facilitate visas for eligible holders. He also called for expanded refugee resettlement opportunities and other pathways towards durable solutions.

Responding, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih welcomed Nigeria’s initiatives and acknowledged its proposal for partnerships with regional financial institutions.

The appeal places longer-term financing alongside immediate humanitarian assistance. Its practical value will depend on whether new partnerships deliver funding that supports protection, livelihoods and sustainable choices for displaced people.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.