The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has assured the United Nations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is taking deliberate and impactful measures to improve the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.
Kalu gave the assurance while speaking as a panelist during a high-level United Nations virtual event held Wednesday to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
He highlighted ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government to domesticate the Kampala Convention—a landmark regional treaty aimed at protecting and assisting IDPs. According to Kalu, President Tinubu has proactively activated key provisions of the treaty, with the goal of significantly enhancing the living standards of displaced citizens.
The Deputy Speaker further revealed that the National Assembly is in the final stages of enacting legislation to domesticate the treaty, which, upon presidential assent, will be adopted by all 36 states of the Federation for a unified national approach.
“I am humbled to share the legislative strides we are making on behalf of displaced persons in Nigeria,” Kalu said. “Our country holds firmly to the principles outlined in the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement—especially those concerning protection from arbitrary displacement, protection during displacement, the right to know the fate of relatives, and the right to return or be resettled.”
He emphasized that Nigeria’s commitment to these principles is reflected in his sponsorship of a bill in the House of Representatives aimed at domestication of the Kampala Convention. The bill has passed in the House and is currently awaiting concurrence in the Senate when the legislature reconvenes on April 29.
“Once passed, the bill will be transmitted to the President for assent, after which it will be adopted across the Federation,” he stated.
Kalu also outlined progress made by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), particularly in the resettlement of nearly 300 IDPs in Keffi, Nasarawa State, and Kano, where over 40 newly built homes have been delivered.
“The Executive has demonstrated strong commitment by developing a national policy framework for IDPs and strengthening NCFRMI through legislative backing,” Kalu noted. “The commission has been instrumental in implementing livelihood restoration initiatives and resettlement programs.”
He praised the establishment of a “resettlement city” in Keffi, which he described as a model for future initiatives aimed at integrating displaced populations into sustainable economic activities.
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Kalu reiterated the importance of domestication, not just for compliance with regional protocols but to address root causes of displacement such as conflict, insecurity, and natural disasters.
“The laws must be domesticated so we can fully highlight and address the structural factors affecting IDPs. This requires collaboration with MDAs and international partners. Even before domestication, government actions have demonstrated clear commitment to these principles,” he added.
