The Federal Government and the United Nations have called on the private sector to create jobs and investment opportunities for more than 3.5 million displaced Nigerians.
The call was made in Lagos at a two-day conference themed “Securing Futures: Market-Based Solutions to Internal Displacement,” convened in collaboration with UK International Development and Tropical General Investment Group.
Participants agreed that while humanitarian assistance has saved lives, displacement must not become a permanent condition. They stressed that building functional markets, revitalising local economies and expanding employment opportunities are key to helping displaced Nigerians rebuild their lives with dignity.
Speaking at the event, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, described the country’s displacement crisis as both a national emergency and part of a wider global challenge.
“Displacement is not only about movement. It is about losses such as loss of home, routine, and dignity. But it is also about resilience,” he said.
According to Fall, millions of people across the Northeast, Northwest, North Central and Middle Belt regions have fled violence and instability. Although more than 2.6 million people have returned to their communities, many are still unable to fully recover.
He noted that women and girls carry a heavier burden, facing disrupted education and limited access to livelihoods, while many young men struggle to secure stable employment.
Fall said it was time to move beyond aid dependency and focus on long-term economic inclusion.
“These Nigerians are not victims. They are entrepreneurs, farmers, students and leaders. Investment in displaced communities is not charity. It is smart economics. It is an investment in stability,” he said.
He urged businesses to see opportunities in sectors such as agriculture and post-harvest processing, renewable energy, irrigation, financial inclusion and digital innovation. He added that Nigeria’s growing fintech and agribusiness sectors offer clear pathways for integrating displaced persons into value chains at scale.
Representing the Vice-President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, retired General Cristobal Gwabimusa described economic inclusion as a strategic national priority. He warned that Nigeria cannot afford to leave millions of capable citizens economically excluded.
He said unlocking their productivity is not only a moral obligation but also an economic necessity, stressing that sustainable peace cannot be built on relief alone.
Gwabimusa cited the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic diversification, private sector-led growth and climate resilience. He said security gains must be reinforced by sustained investment in fragile regions.
While acknowledging that humanitarian interventions have saved lives, he said long-term stability requires livelihoods, skills development and productive assets. When displaced persons earn sustainable incomes, he explained, they become producers, customers and contributors to national development.
“Investing in these communities is not corporate social responsibility; it is smart business that strengthens supply chains, expands markets and builds national cohesion,” he said.
Cynthia Rowe of the British High Commission said the private sector also stands to benefit from new markets and untapped talent. She highlighted the role of development partners in de-risking investments through guarantees, blended finance and support for small enterprises.
“There are returns in every direction you look. This builds communities, regions and the whole of Nigeria,” she said.
Participants stressed that the conference must lead to concrete commitments, pilot projects and structured public-private partnerships capable of delivering measurable results. For millions of displaced Nigerians still living in camps or host communities, they said the stakes remain high, noting that most seek opportunities for work, education, healthcare and the chance to rebuild their futures rather than handouts.
