Nigeria Seeks UN Support for $10 Billion Long-Term Funding to Tackle Internal Displacement Crisis

The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally requested the assistance of the United Nations to secure a $10 billion long-term funding plan aimed at addressing the country’s deepening internal displacement crisis. The move underscores the growing urgency to find sustainable solutions for millions of Nigerians forced from their homes by conflict, climate change, and natural disasters.

The appeal, according to government sources, was made during a high-level meeting between Nigerian officials and representatives of various UN agencies in Abuja. The meeting, chaired by Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, was convened to discuss collaborative strategies for managing the country’s displacement situation, which remains one of the most complex in Africa.

Dr. Edu explained that the proposed $10 billion fund would be directed towards long-term recovery and reintegration projects, particularly in communities devastated by insurgency, banditry, and flooding. She noted that while Nigeria has made progress in humanitarian response, sustainable resettlement and rehabilitation require significant and coordinated financial intervention.

“Our government is fully committed to ensuring that displaced persons regain their dignity and are reintegrated into stable communities,” she said. “However, given the scale of the challenge and the limited national resources, we are calling on the United Nations and global partners to support Nigeria with a long-term financing mechanism of at least $10 billion to effectively tackle internal displacement challenges.”

According to official statistics, Nigeria currently hosts over 3.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), mainly in the northern and middle-belt regions. The displacement is driven by multiple factors, including the Boko Haram insurgency, armed banditry in the North-West, communal conflicts, and severe flooding in several states. In recent years, the effects of climate change — particularly desertification and coastal erosion — have also forced thousands to migrate from their ancestral lands.

The minister emphasized that short-term humanitarian aid alone cannot resolve the problem. “For too long, interventions have focused on immediate relief — food, tents, and medical care. While these are essential, they do not address the root causes or guarantee long-term stability. What we need now is a developmental approach that invests in housing, education, health, livelihoods, and peacebuilding,” Dr. Edu said.

She outlined that the proposed $10 billion package would be implemented over a 10-year period in partnership with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other relevant international agencies. The funding would support large-scale resettlement projects, infrastructure development, and climate adaptation initiatives in affected regions.

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall, commended the Nigerian government for its proactive approach to addressing internal displacement. He assured that the UN system is ready to collaborate in designing a framework for sustainable financing and implementation.

“The scale of displacement in Nigeria requires both immediate humanitarian response and long-term developmental investment,” Fall stated. “The United Nations recognizes Nigeria’s efforts and will continue to provide technical and institutional support to ensure that displaced persons can return home in safety and dignity.”

He added that the UN would engage international donors and development partners to explore innovative financing models, including blended funds, public-private partnerships, and climate resilience investments that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) also expressed optimism that the collaboration with the UN could transform Nigeria’s approach to displacement management. The Commission’s Federal Commissioner, Hon. Tijani Aliyu, disclosed that the government is finalizing a national strategy on durable solutions for IDPs, which will complement the proposed funding plan.

“This $10 billion initiative will not just rebuild homes but will rebuild lives. It will help restore livelihoods, promote education for displaced children, and support women who have been disproportionately affected by displacement,” Aliyu said.

Humanitarian experts and civil society organizations have welcomed the government’s request, describing it as timely. They noted that chronic underfunding has hampered Nigeria’s ability to respond adequately to the displacement crisis. Many IDP camps across Borno, Adamawa, and Zamfara states are overcrowded, with limited access to basic amenities such as water, healthcare, and sanitation.

Analysts argue that a long-term funding framework anchored in development and resilience-building could reduce dependency on aid and empower affected communities. “Nigeria needs a shift from emergency relief to development-centered recovery. This approach would align with global best practices and help reduce long-term humanitarian costs,” said Dr. Olufemi Bamidele, a policy expert with the Centre for Humanitarian Development Studies.

The government’s proposal comes at a time when international donor support for humanitarian operations in Nigeria has been declining. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recently reported that less than 45 percent of Nigeria’s humanitarian funding appeal for 2024 had been met, leaving millions without adequate assistance.

Despite these challenges, the Nigerian government says it remains determined to work with international partners to end the cycle of displacement. “We are not just asking for aid; we are asking for a strategic investment in peace, stability, and human development,” Dr. Edu emphasized.

As discussions progress, both the UN and Nigerian authorities are expected to set up a joint task force to outline specific funding modalities, priority sectors, and monitoring mechanisms for transparency and accountability.

If approved, the $10 billion fund would mark one of the largest humanitarian and development partnerships in Africa, setting a new precedent for addressing displacement crises through coordinated, long-term financing rather than short-lived interventions.