The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall, has reiterated the organisation’s dedication to promoting lasting solutions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.
Fall made the remarks during the inaugural Project Steering Committee meeting of the Sustainable Urban Integration of Displaced Population in Adamawa, Yobe and Kano States in Nigeria (SIDPIN), organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Abuja.
The meeting also assessed the European Union (EU) Support for Protection, Assistance and Durable Solutions in Sokoto (SPADS) project and discussed strategies to enhance cooperation in assisting displaced persons and host communities in the BAY states and other affected regions.
According to Fall, the UN remains focused on supporting long-term initiatives that foster dignity, self-reliance and social inclusion among displaced populations.
He disclosed that through the UN Common Programme on Durable Solutions, over 200,000 children and adolescents benefited from education and skills development programmes in communities prioritised for durable solutions in 2025.
He further noted that nearly 150,000 people gained access to sustainable livelihood opportunities, while about 40,000 individuals recovered essential civil documentation.
“We must continue to build on local solutions that are owned by communities and on practical examples that can be expanded and sustained,” he said.
Fall stated that Nigeria is currently home to approximately 3.5 million internally displaced persons, particularly in areas where the IOM operates.
He emphasised that displacement should not be regarded only as a humanitarian issue.
“Displacement is also a development challenge and a human rights imperative. No one should be left behind in the long journey towards dignity.
“The momentum for durable solutions is growing in Nigeria, and it must continue to grow stronger,” he said.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among stakeholders in delivering lasting solutions for displaced and vulnerable populations.
He stated that achievements recorded under various intervention programmes reflected the shared commitment of government and development partners to improving the welfare of displaced persons and host communities.
“While humanitarian interventions remain indispensable, experience has shown that durable solutions require a more integrated approach that bridges humanitarian action, development efforts and peacebuilding initiatives,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Gautier Mignot, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting solution-oriented interventions that address the long-term needs of communities impacted by insecurity and displacement.
He noted that sustainable recovery depends on investments that generate opportunities and strengthen local economies.
“We need to build a future, and this future is still largely unbuilt. This can only happen if we focus on sustainable investment.
“Sustainable investment requires economic analysis, proper planning and the involvement of the private sector,” Mignot said.
Reports says that the EU-funded initiatives place significant emphasis on improving living conditions and enhancing the resilience of women, children and other vulnerable groups affected by displacement and related socio-economic challenges.
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