Senior United Nations officials have commended Nigeria for its leadership in addressing internal displacement and urged sustained international support to achieve long-term, development-based solutions. This recognition came as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Bank of Agriculture Limited (BOA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance access to sustainable livelihoods for migrants and displaced persons across Nigeria.
The agreement, signed by IOM’s Deputy Director General for Operations, Ugochi Daniels, and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, establishes a $200 million Agriculture and Livelihood Support Fund aimed at improving the lives of forcibly displaced persons in Nigeria.
At the end of a three-day joint mission to Nigeria, IOM’s Deputy Director-General for Operations, Ugochi Daniels; the Assistant High Commissioner for Operations at the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Raouf Mazou; and the Director of the Crisis Bureau at the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Shoko Noda, called on global and national partners to build on Nigeria’s progress through coordinated and inclusive approaches.
The delegation highlighted that Nigeria’s forthcoming National Development Plan (2026–2030) offers a key opportunity to integrate durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) into the country’s development and financing priorities. They also urged international financial institutions and development partners to scale up long-term financing, noting that consistent investment is vital to move from humanitarian response to economic recovery, self-reliance, and resilience.
During their visit to Yobe State, the delegation met with the State Policy Advisory Committee on Durable Solutions, chaired by the Deputy Governor, traditional leaders, commissioners, and IDP representatives. The state authorities confirmed that 24 percent of Yobe’s annual budget was dedicated to implementing its State Action Plan on Durable Solutions—one of the highest government allocations globally.
Daniels stated, “Humanitarian needs remain urgent and security remains a top priority, but durable solutions cannot be achieved through humanitarian aid alone. What we witnessed in Yobe State is government leadership and development approaches in action. Importantly, IDP representatives took part in the discussions as members of the official delegation, reflecting a shift from being seen as beneficiaries to recognised partners and decision makers.”
Nigeria is one of 15 pilot countries under the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement and continues to demonstrate strong national ownership through the National Policy on Internal Displacement (2022) and State Action Plans for Durable Solutions in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Benue states.
Mazou said, “Nigeria’s experience shows a clear shift is taking place from humanitarian aid to self-reliance, from short-term response to long-term recovery. What makes Nigeria unique is its commitment to pairing public investment with private sector engagement. Harnessing private capital and innovation is essential to create jobs, rebuild livelihoods, and help displaced families achieve self-sufficiency.”
In Abuja, the delegation held meetings with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. The discussions focused on embedding durable solutions for internally displaced persons into Nigeria’s next National Development Plan (2026–2030) and mobilising long-term blended financing to maintain progress. The Nigerian government reaffirmed that internal displacement remains both a development and investment priority.
Noda stated, “Nigeria’s leadership on durable solutions is impressive, and the ingredients for success are already in place. Nigeria has the potential to build a comprehensive model in support of solutions, one that can inspire similar progress in other displacement contexts.”
The officials explained that Nigeria has benefited from the global framework for advancing IDP solutions. Funding to UN agencies through the Internal Displacement Solutions Fund (IDSF) has provided vital support for state-level data, policy development, and coordination structures. Through the global Solutions Hub, a Resident Coordinator Adviser on Durable Solutions is also ensuring stronger system-wide collaboration.
The UN officials reaffirmed their support to work with the Nigerian government in driving durable, inclusive, and nationally owned solutions to internal displacement. They called on international and local partners to continue providing financial and technical support that matches Nigeria’s growing ambitions for long-term recovery and stability.
Meanwhile, the newly signed MoU between IOM and the Bank of Agriculture marks a key milestone in the country’s efforts to tackle displacement through sustainable development. The partnership establishes the $200 million Agriculture and Livelihood Support Fund, designed to promote inclusive economic growth and empower migrants and displaced persons across the country.
Daniels said, “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing sustainable solutions for migrants and communities. By linking migration management with development financing, we can create inclusive economic opportunities that empower people to rebuild their lives, contribute to local economies, and reduce aid dependency.”
The MoU underscores Nigeria’s determination to address the root causes of displacement and irregular migration while boosting economic inclusion and resilience. It aligns with Nigeria’s national development goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, reinforcing efforts toward stability and self-reliance in regions affected by conflict, food insecurity, and poverty.
According to Sotinrin, “The Bank of Agriculture, in executing the vision of the Presidency, views this fund as a crucial step in transforming the landscape of rural poverty. This partnership unlocks productivity through people-centred investment that enables the economic inclusion of migrants and, critically, positions displaced and vulnerable Nigerians as active, valued contributors to rural development, community resilience, and the national economic stability promised by the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The signing of this agreement comes as Nigeria intensifies its push to address the root causes of displacement and irregular migration. The country currently hosts more than 3.5 million internally displaced persons, many of whom have lost access to farmland, income opportunities, and productive assets due to conflict, insecurity, and climate-related challenges.
This partnership between IOM and BOA aims to bridge critical economic gaps and provide a strategic pathway for locally driven intervention. It will improve access to agricultural inputs, financial inclusion, market linkages, and capacity development for IDPs, returnees, and host communities, thereby reducing aid dependency.
The initiative also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and supports Nigeria’s broader national strategies on economic recovery and rural transformation. It is expected to serve as a model for migration-sensitive development financing in Africa, promoting agricultural development, job creation, and inclusive growth.