nternally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are individuals who have been forced to flee their homes but remain within Nigeria’s borders. Unlike refugees, they have not crossed into another country, yet their needs for safety, protection, and support are just as urgent.

In Nigeria, displacement is driven by multiple factors — insurgency in the North-East, communal clashes, banditry, and natural disasters such as flooding. Many IDPs find temporary shelter in formal camps, informal settlements, or with relatives in host communities.

Key Facts & Figures

• Over 3.5 million IDPs are currently recorded in Nigeria (end of 2024).

• The North-East region particularly Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, hosts the largest concentration.

• Women and children make up more than 70% of the displaced population.

• Displacement often disrupts education, livelihoods, and access to healthcare, creating long-term challenges for families.

Challenges Faced by IDPs

• Shelter & Living Conditions: Many IDPs live in overcrowded camps or with host families under strained resources.

• Access to Services: Limited access to education, healthcare, clean water, and sanitation facilities.

• Livelihoods: Loss of farms, businesses, and jobs, making self-reliance difficult.

• Protection: Vulnerability to exploitation, gender-based violence, and lack of legal documentation.

NCFRMI’s Role

As the lead government agency mandated to coordinate IDP response, NCFRMI:

• Registers and profiles IDPs across the country.

• Coordinates humanitarian support with partners to ensure food and non-food interventions

• Promotes durable solutions including local integration, relocation, and safe return to communities of origin.

• Works with state governments, NGOs, and international partners to strengthen resilience and restore livelihoods.