President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially signed the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), widely known as the Kampala Convention, into Nigerian law. This landmark move strengthens humanitarian protection and reinforces the rights and dignity of millions of displaced Nigerians.
The law, formally titled “Act to Give Effect to the Provisions of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria; and for Related Matters,” was sponsored by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu and backed by six co-sponsors, including Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, Hon. Khadijat Bukar Ibrahim, Hon. Blessing Onuh, Hon. Nasiru Shehu, Hon. Felix Uche Nwaeke, and Hon. Steve Fatoba.
Having already passed both chambers of the National Assembly, the Act now domesticates and enforces the Kampala Convention, aiming to tackle the root causes of internal displacement while aligning with the Nigerian Constitution and relevant national and international standards. Since 2009, Nigeria, alongside 32 other African Union member states such as Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe, has ratified the Convention.
The legislation provides a comprehensive framework to prevent, mitigate, and resolve internal displacement, safeguard IDPs’ human rights, and outline the responsibilities of government agencies and non-state actors. It also emphasizes gender-sensitive approaches, coordination among stakeholders, and long-term solutions for displaced populations.
Nigeria continues to face massive humanitarian challenges, with millions of IDPs living in overcrowded informal camps plagued by extreme poverty, hunger, disease, and insecurity. Conflicts such as the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and natural disasters remain key drivers of displacement.
With the Kampala Convention now codified into law, the government aims to improve shelter conditions, access to healthcare and education, and establish a more structured national response to displacement.
Deputy Speaker Kalu commended President Tinubu for giving “a human face to the suffering of IDPs” and urged Nigerians and international partners to support the effective implementation of the law. He stressed, “We must work together to address the humanitarian crisis and provide durable solutions for IDPs,” highlighting the critical role of collaboration in addressing the root causes of displacement.
