Refugee returns double as Nigeria’s IDP crisis deepens

The number of Nigerian refugees returning home under a voluntary repatriation programme has more than doubled in early 2026, while internal displacement across the country continues to rise sharply, according to new data.

Figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) show that returnees increased by 1,805 persons within the first quarter, rising from 1,705 in February to 3,510 by April.

The data, compiled in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, indicates a 106 per cent increase in returns over the period.

All returnees were Nigerians repatriated from Cameroon, Chad and Niger under a tripartite agreement, with most heading back to communities in Borno State, the epicentre of the long-running Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency.

Despite the increase in returnees, more than 405,000 Nigerian refugees remain in neighbouring countries, with Niger hosting the largest share at 258,777, followed by Cameroon (124,382) and Chad (21,999).

At the same time, the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) rose significantly, climbing from 3,544,519 in February to 3,711,314 in March — an increase of 166,795 in just one month.

The sharpest rise was recorded in the North-West, where IDPs surged by over 143,000, largely driven by persistent banditry in Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states.

In the North-East, total displacement also grew, reaching over 2.33 million people, with insurgency accounting for the vast majority of cases.

Security incidents across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states increased by 27 per cent compared to the same period in 2025, leaving hundreds dead or injured and displacing thousands more.

The North-Central region recorded a slight decline in IDP numbers, though states such as Benue continue to host large displaced populations.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s total refugee and asylum-seeker population saw a marginal drop, settling at 139,141 in April, while the backlog of unregistered refugees also declined.

Overall, Nigerians account for about 3.5 per cent of the estimated 117 million forcibly displaced persons globally, highlighting the scale of the country’s displacement crisis.

In response, the World Bank approved a $300 million support package in 2025 aimed at assisting displaced persons and host communities.

The initiative is expected to benefit up to 7.4 million people through coordinated interventions across all levels of government.