3.7m IDPs: FG woos private sector for durable solutions

2026-02-17 - 00:09

By Esther Onyegbula The federal government has declared a strategic shift from humanitarian relief to long-term economic inclusion for over 3.7 million internally displaced persons, IDPs, as Nigeria grapples with one of Africa’s largest displacement crises. The move formed the centrepiece of a high-level conference organised by the Office of the Vice President, in collaboration with the United Nations, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, and Tropical General Investments, TGI, Group. Speaking at the opening of the two-day conference, with the theme, “Securing Futures: Market-Based Solutions for Internal Displacement,” Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was represented by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, said the scale of displacement demanded coordinated thinking, collective action and sustained investment. “The scale of displacement reflects a shared conviction that this challenge requires coordinated thinking, collective action and sustained investment,” he said. Shettima said Nigeria must transition from merely managing displacement to unlocking opportunities and building durable stability. While describing internal displacement as one of the country’s most pressing development challenges, he noted that millions across the North-East, North-West, North-Central and other regions had been uprooted by conflict, climate shocks and economic disruptions. “These figures represent more than data points. They are citizens with capabilities, experience and aspirations,” he said. According to him, Nigeria currently hosts over 3.5 million forcibly displaced persons, ranking among countries with the largest displaced populations in Africa. In addition, he added, 2.6 million people had returned to their communities but remainede in fragile conditions, while more than 2.5 million displaced persons were living within host communities, stretching already limited resources. Aligning the response with the Renewed National Development Plan 2026–2030, Shettima said the federal government’s strategy was anchored on economic diversification, productivity, human capital development, national competitiveness and climate resilience, with security as a cross-cutting enabler. “For too long, displacement has been treated only as a humanitarian emergency, but long-term stability cannot be built on relief alone. This conference marks a deliberate shift towards durable, market-based solutions that restore dignity through economic inclusion,” he stated. In her remarks, Head of Development Cooperation at British High Commission, Cynthia Rowe, said displacement-affected regions represented untapped talent pools and emerging markets with long-term returns. She disclosed that the United Kingdom was supporting investments through guarantees, blended finance, de-risking mechanisms and improved access to capital for small businesses. Experts across humanitarian, finance and agribusiness sectors, who participated in panel discussions, called for scalable private-sector partnerships, backed by blended financing, government support and enabling policies to unlock the productivity of displaced Nigerians.