Refugees/asylum seekers waiting outside the officers of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for documentations.. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP) (Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images)
Abuja, EPICSTORIAN – The United Nations (UN) has commended Nigeria for its refugee policies and hospitality towards asylum seekers, especially its efforts in providing protection and assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as for its commitment to upholding international refugee law.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) highlighted Nigeria’s open-door policy towards refugees and its efforts to integrate them into local communities as crucial to the agency’s humanitarian laws best performance.
The country has also been commended for its support for asylum seekers and refugees, including providing access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities in proportion considered almost much the same as Nigerian citizens without discriminations
Nigeria is currently hosting over 2 million refugees and internally displaced persons, mainly from neighboring countries such as Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. The agency praised the country for its generosity and solidarity towards those in need of protection and assistance.
Nigeria’s refugee policies stands out amongst host communities
The UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, Mr. Mazou, speaking during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on behalf of the international organization, noted that Nigeria’s exemplary measures taken to host refugees have been very essential in ensuring that displaced persons are resettled.
He expressed gratitude for the country’s humanitarian gestures, promising the UNHCR support for host communities .
“I would like to thank Nigeria for receiving a large number of refugees primarily from Cameroon,” Mazou said.
“Nigeria has been exemplary in its treatment of refugees. The host communities are playing an essential role in making sure that these persons are resettled.
“The World Bank has a facility for refugees and host communities and we would be accessing these facilities to see how we can bring additional support primarily to help the host communities.
“We are now focusing on a shift primarily from providing humanitarian assistance to development. We are making sure that people become more self-reliant as much as possible.”
Additionally , the UN Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ms Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, lauded Nigeria’s adherence to international laws on humanitarian support.
“We should be grateful for the fact that Nigeria is adhering to international conventions on refugees. This example shows how important it is for each country on our continent to do the same, and I hope others will follow,” she said.
“I have encouraged governments to accept refugees and treat them better, and it’s refreshing to see a change where we do not alienate these vulnerable people.”
In his remarks, appreciating the UN system for its assistance to Nigeria over the years, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, said: “I know how vital the UN system is. You have assisted us tremendously in addressing our challenges in the northeast and the nation as a whole.
“For Nigeria, we will continue to accommodate our brother Africans displaced by conflict and natural disasters. I want to assure you that our partnership with the UN family will only be strengthened.
“We are open to new ideas for collaboration, especially the UN’s emphasis on sustainable resettlement of refugees. By embracing sustainable pathways in resettling people, we can avoid donor fatigue.
Shettima referred insecuriy in the Sahelian region as something having a general socio-economically unfavorable impact on the West African States.
“There is an incestuous relationship between ecology, economy, and insecurity in the Sahelian region. There is endemic poverty further compounded by the fallout of climate change,” Shettima said.
He spoke on president Tinubu’s determined efforts to resurrect the Nigeria’s economy, with the aim to move away from “humanitarian assistance to solutions.”.
“The President is working round the clock to get things right. We are trying to diversify the economic base of the nation. We are working assiduously to fine-tune the structure,” Shettima added.
“We are working with the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation to tap into the resources of the private sector for this sustainable programming. We are moving away from humanitarian assistance to solutions.”
He said the government is working to make Nigeria safe and favourable to repatriated Nigerians, who have Voluntarily returned to the country.
“A good number of Nigerian refugees in neighbouring countries are returning. As much as possible, we are ensuring the voluntary return of those who want to go home,” he added.
Again, the UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ms Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, again recognized Nigeria as a model for other countries in the region in terms of its refugee policies and hospitality towards asylum seekers.
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She highlighted further that the country’s commitment to upholding the rights of refugees and providing them with the support they need is seen as a positive example for others to follow.
The United Nations delegators in at the meeting, according to State House Media, were the Agency’s Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall; UNHCR Director, Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa, Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde; Senior External Engagement Coordinator, Bureau for West and Central Africa, Ms. Lara Scholtterbeck; UNHCR Representative to Nigeria, Mr. Arjun Jain, and Associate Protection Officer, Olubunmi Olaonipekun, among others.
