Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on the Federal Government to develop a comprehensive national strategy to address Nigeria’s worsening Internally Displaced Persons crisis.
Represented by his former Chief of Staff, Ade Ipaye, at the 10th House of Justice Summit in Kaduna on Friday, themed “From Camp to Justice,” Osinbajo said over 3.4 million Nigerians, mostly women and children, are currently displaced by insurgency, communal clashes, and natural disasters.
He warned that overcrowded camps, malnutrition, and lack of access to education could have long-term consequences if urgent action is not taken.
“The scale of displacement has become a national emergency. We need a coordinated approach covering emergency support, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
“Displacement is not just a humanitarian challenge; it is a threat to the social fabric and the future of our children. We cannot afford piecemeal solutions,” Osinbajo said.
He commended the House of Justice for focusing the summit on IDPs and urged stakeholders—government, civil society, and international partners—to work together on practical, actionable solutions.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Law Reform Commission and keynote speaker, Prof. Dakas Dakas (SAN), stressed the urgency of domesticating the Kampala Convention, a regional treaty on the protection of IDPs.
“Without domestication, our displaced citizens remain legally unprotected. They are trapped in a policy vacuum,” he said, describing Nigeria’s current IDP policy as “outdated and legally weak.”
Dakas highlighted challenges, including poor institutional coordination, underfunding, and inadequate legal frameworks, which have left IDPs in “precarious and vulnerable” conditions.
He stressed the need for a shift “from camps to justice,” advocating safe returns, local integration, and planned resettlement.
“Justice for IDPs is not optional. It is essential for peace and national cohesion. We must ensure accountability for perpetrators of displacement, legislate IDP rights, and establish budgetary allocations to support them,” he said.
He further called for a national reparations fund, inclusion of IDPs in electoral processes to prevent disenfranchisement, and improved data collection.
“Accurate data is critical. The National Population Commission must regularly survey IDPs and integrate them into census exercises. Without data, there can be no meaningful planning,” he added.
The Chief Executive Officer of the House of Justice and convener of the summit, Gloria Ballason, criticised government policies, saying they prioritise the rehabilitation of insurgents over justice for victims.
She highlighted widespread displacement and destruction in Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, Niger, and Kwara states, warning that current non-kinetic programmes such as Operation Safe Corridor and DDRR have not curbed violence.
“Victims need justice, reparations, and psychosocial healing. They need a safe return to their communities. Investing only in insurgents risks normalising terrorism,” she said.
The summit also observed a minute of silence for Nigerians killed in attacks and reiterated calls for urgent action on justice, resettlement, and national healing.
“This is a pivotal moment. Our response to the plight of IDPs will define Nigeria’s moral and political future. We must act now,” Ballason concluded.
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