The Nigerian Government has restated its commitment to safeguarding and supporting the 138,154 registered refugees and asylum seekers currently residing in Nigeria.
Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), gave the assurance on Friday during the 2025 World Refugee Day commemoration held in Abuja.
World Refugee Day, marked globally on 20 June, is aimed at raising awareness of the plight of refugees and forcibly displaced persons. This year’s theme is “Solidarity with Refugees: A Call to Action for Inclusion.”
Ahmed revealed that the registered refugees and asylum seekers are spread across 33 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They originate from 48 countries, with six nationalities Cameroon, Niger, Syria, Central African Republic, and Sudan accounting for 86 per cent of the total.
He also noted that 32,746 individuals are currently awaiting registration, while Nigeria has received 16,215 returnees and 1,396 spontaneous returnees. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps number approximately 3.57 million, while those in host communities bring the total to over 6.2 million many of whom are women and children.
“As we celebrate World Refugee Day, we recognise the contributions refugees have made to our communities,” Ahmed said. “It is an invitation to honour refugees’ voices, strengthen community ties, and amplify the need for inclusion in national systems, such as social protection and local development frameworks.”
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He emphasised that the occasion was also about celebrating the resilience of refugees, and advocating for global solidarity in supporting families uprooted by conflict and violence.
“It is a day to recognise the challenges and hardship that refugees face, but also to honour their courage and resilience in the face of overwhelming obstacles. Above all, we celebrate their many valuable contributions to nation-building,” he added.
Ahmed highlighted some of the Commission’s achievements, including the provision of protection and humanitarian assistance, efforts to uphold the dignity of displaced persons, and the voluntary repatriation of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon and Chad.
In a goodwill message, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Mr Filippo Grandi, represented by Bernadette Muteshi, called for shared responsibility among nations in supporting host communities and protecting refugees.
“We must stand with refugees to keep alive their hopes of a better future,” Grandi said. “This World Refugee Day and every day, governments, institutions, companies and individuals can prove that by helping those caught up in senseless conflicts, we move towards greater stability, humanity and justice for us all.”
He added: “If we do so, I can promise you that refugees will bring all their courage, spirit and ingenuity to the task of creating a better and brighter tomorrow.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described the day as a powerful reminder that displaced persons are not mere statistics but individuals with disrupted lives and dreams.
Represented by Hajia Jummai Katagun, Director of Humanitarian Affairs in the Ministry, the minister said: “They are our neighbours, and we must let no borders define our humanity. As crises grow more complex from violent conflicts to climate displacement so too must our response grow more courageous.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Global Compact on Refugees, stating: “Our vision is to build a nation where no displaced person is left behind, where every refugee can rise, rebuild and thrive.”
