A high-level United Nations delegation will visit Nigeria from October 20 to 22 to assess and highlight the country’s ongoing efforts to support internally displaced persons.
The delegation will be led by Ms Ugochi Daniels, deputy director-general of the International Organisation for Migration. She will be joined by Raouf Mazou, assistant high commissioner for operations at the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and Shoko Noda, director of the crisis bureau at the UN Development Programme.
According to Mr Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, “the mission will engage with senior government officials, development partners, and UN personnel operating in affected communities.” The visit is part of a broader effort to strengthen international cooperation and humanitarian support in Nigeria.
Nigeria currently hosts an estimated 3.5 million internally displaced persons as of July 2024, mainly caused by insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, and environmental challenges such as flooding and desertification. The North-East remains the most affected region, with over 2.1 million displaced people.
Despite ongoing national and international interventions, humanitarian needs remain significant. UN data show that 7.8 million people in northern Nigeria need assistance this year, but only 1.3 million have been reached so far, highlighting concerns about funding and operational limitations.
The visit by the UN delegation aims to reinforce global support for Nigeria’s transition from emergency relief to long-term recovery, stabilisation, and reintegration of displaced persons. It will also showcase the country’s progress in managing displacement and promote best practices that could serve as models for other affected nations.
The mission is expected to strengthen collaboration between humanitarian and development agencies while mobilising more international support and financing for sustainable, development-focused interventions.