The recent revelation that more than 400,000 Nigerian refugees are currently scattered across Chad, Niger, and Cameroon has triggered widespread concern, casting a stark spotlight on the socio-economic and security challenges facing the country. The disclosure, made by the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijani Ahmed, during a technical working group meeting in Abuja, underscores the gravity of the situation.
Ahmed noted that the gathering aimed to assess prior efforts, strategize future actions, and identify areas requiring government and stakeholder intervention. According to him, the tripartite agreement signed by Nigeria, Chad, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) serves as the foundation for the ongoing repatriation process. He confirmed that 3,000 refugees had recently returned from Chad through collaborative efforts with the Borno State government, while further plans were underway to resume repatriation from Cameroon.
“We convened this meeting to deliberate on the procedures and strategies to facilitate the safe return of Nigerian refugees,” Ahmed stated. “Currently, we have no fewer than 400,000 of our citizens taking refuge in these neighboring countries. Our aim is to ensure their dignified return and reintegration.”
The UNHCR’s Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Bernadette Muteshi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the repatriation process, emphasizing the importance of both governments’ leadership in safeguarding the well-being of the refugees.
“We are working alongside the Nigerian and Chadian governments to uphold the principles outlined in the tripartite agreement,” Muteshi remarked. “This collaborative effort is crucial to ensuring the safety and welfare of those returning home.”
However, beyond the logistics of repatriation lies a deeper issue that resonates with the Nigerian populace: the deteriorating economic landscape and persistent insecurity driving mass displacement. The economic hardship that engulfed the nation last year saw citizens grappling with soaring food prices and widespread hunger. Protests erupted across states like Kano, Lagos, Oyo, Sokoto, and Niger as essential commodities became unaffordable for the average household.
The economic distress coincided with escalating violence, as armed groups, including Boko Haram insurgents, bandits, and kidnappers, continued to terrorize communities. The resulting climate of fear and deprivation prompted many to seek refuge beyond Nigeria’s borders.
A former lawmaker from Katsina State, Yusuf Shehu, acknowledged the historical ties between border communities and neighboring countries but conceded that insecurity had become a primary motivator for migration. “Many residents of border areas now see Niger and Chad as safer alternatives,” Shehu explained. “They would rather endure life as refugees than face daily threats to their lives and livelihoods.”
Similarly, Ibrahim Musa, a community leader, attributed the migration trend to the stark realities of hunger and economic stagnation. “People are not leaving because they love these countries more,” Musa said. “They are leaving because survival has become a daily struggle. For some, the journey to these nations is part of a larger, desperate attempt to reach Europe via Libya and Algeria.”
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) President, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, characterized the refugee crisis as a poignant indicator of Nigeria’s economic and security decay. “What we are witnessing is a genuine reflection of our national reality,” Bitrus asserted. “Until the government addresses these underlying issues, we will continue to see mass displacement both within and outside our borders.”
Educationist Abdullahi Fago from Katsina State echoed similar concerns, describing the mass migration as a national embarrassment. He attributed the situation to the pervasive food insecurity and the impact of banditry on agricultural productivity. “When farmers cannot access their lands due to fear of attacks, food production suffers, and hunger becomes inevitable,” Fago observed. “The government must act swiftly to restore security and stabilize the economy if we hope to stem this tide.”
As the nation grapples with these multifaceted challenges, the plight of its displaced citizens serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for cohesive, sustainable policies to secure lives, revive the economy, and restore hope to those forced to seek safety beyond Nigeria’s borders.
