By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to refugee protection and durable solutions for displaced persons, while calling for stronger global solidarity and shared responsibility in addressing forced displacement.
Persecondnews correspondent reports that the “1951 Refugee Convention at 75: Dialogue on Protection, Solidarity and Solutions” to mark World Refugee Day 2026 was held in Abuja on Monday.
Speaking at the event, Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), representing President Bola Tinubu, said Nigeria will continue to uphold its international responsibilities on refugee protection.
“The Federal Government will continue to uphold its responsibilities under international refugee protection frameworks while working with partners to ensure dignity, safety, and inclusion for displaced persons,” he said.
He added that Nigeria remains committed to strengthening protection systems and support mechanisms nationwide.
“Nigeria remains committed to strengthening protection, inclusion, and support systems for refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons across the country,” he said.
He stressed coordinated government action toward durable solutions.
“We are pursuing policies that promote protection, voluntary return where conditions permit, local integration, and sustainable livelihoods for displaced persons.”
Also speaking, Dr. Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, on his part, said government reforms were strengthening humanitarian response systems and social protection for displaced persons.
He noted that the government is strengthening systems that integrate displaced persons into national social protection frameworks and development planning.
“We are moving from palliatives to structured pathways that ensure dignity, inclusion, and long-term stability for displaced persons under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
He stressed that humanitarian response is being aligned with development strategies to ensure durable outcomes for refugees and internally displaced persons.
“We are building systems that connect humanitarian assistance with long-term development so that displaced persons can move from vulnerability to self-reliance,” he added.
On his part, the Deputy Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Bernadette Muteshi, stressed that World Refugee Day highlights global responsibility to protect displaced persons.
“World Refugee Day gives us an opportunity to remember and to keep the promise alive that until everyone is safe, we are not all safe,” she said.
She noted that over 42 million people are currently displaced globally, calling for stronger international cooperation.
“Protection must go beyond survival to ensure dignity, opportunity, and lasting stability for displaced persons,” she noted.
In his remarks, the ECOWAS representative said the regional body remains committed to supporting displaced persons across West Africa.
“ECOWAS is strongly behind you and in support of you, and we remain available to support wherever there is need,” he said.
The Acting Country Representative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said safety must include livelihoods and access to essential services.
“Safety is more than physical protection; it means access to education, healthcare, livelihoods, and the opportunity to rebuild lives and thrive,” he noted.
The Archbishop of Abuja, the Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Kaigama, said refugees deserve dignity, compassion, and protection.
“Behind every refugee is a father, a mother, a brother, or a sister created in the image of God, deserving of love, protection, and respect,” he said.
The Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijjani Aliyu Ahmed, stressed that collective action remains essential to achieving lasting solutions for displaced persons.
He said the agency remained committed to supporting refugees and strengthening coordinated responses to displacement, stressing that:
“Collective action remains essential to achieving lasting solutions for displaced persons,” he said.
Persecondnews reports that the event brought together stakeholders including the Nigeria Customs Service, representatives of government agencies, the United Nations, ECOWAS, diplomatic missions, humanitarian partners, and civil society organisations to reinforce collective action on forced displacement.
World Refugee Day is an international day, organised annually on June 20 by the United Nations, a day designed to celebrate and honour refugees from around the world, and the theme for this year’s celebration is “Until Everyone Is Safe”.
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