Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has emphasized the urgent need to address the root causes forcing Nigerians into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
Speaking as a panelist during a high-level United Nations virtual event marking the 27th anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, Kalu highlighted the importance of taking concrete legislative and policy steps to protect and reintegrate displaced citizens.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu commended existing government efforts to support IDPs but expressed concern that Nigeria has yet to domesticate the Kampala Convention, despite having ratified it.
He stressed the significance of the Convention’s key principles—particularly those addressing protection from arbitrary displacement, safety during displacement, the right to family contact, and the right to return or resettle. Kalu noted that these principles form the foundation of his legislative advocacy.
“I personally sponsored a bill in the House of Representatives to domesticate the Kampala Convention. It has passed the House, and the Senate is expected to consider it after recess on April 29. Once passed, it will be sent to the President for assent,” Kalu stated.
He also highlighted the government’s development of a national policy on IDPs and the establishment of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) through a 2022 bill, which aims to coordinate resettlement, rehabilitation, and livelihood restoration.
Kalu cited successful initiatives in Keffi and Kano, where the commission has built a resettlement city and provided housing for nearly 300 IDPs, including 40 new homes recently handed over.
He called for continued partnerships with ministries, agencies, and international organizations to ensure swift domestication of the Kampala Convention and a more comprehensive approach to addressing displacement.
Beyond immediate interventions, Kalu stressed the need to resolve the root causes of displacement. “We must look into the sociological issues that trigger conflict and displacement and develop sustainable peace frameworks,” he said. “The goal is to ensure that IDPs do not return to camps but are reintegrated into stable, thriving communities.”