Over 400,000 Nigerians Seek Refuge in Chad, Niger, and Cameroon

The Federal Government recently revealed a troubling statistic: over 400,000 Nigerian refugees are currently living in Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. This stark reality underscores the deepening crisis in Nigeria, fueled by insecurity, poverty, and economic collapse.

Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijani Ahmed, disclosed this alarming data during a technical working group meeting in Abuja. The meeting aimed to assess previous interventions, plan future actions, and seek government and international support to repatriate Nigerian refugees.

According to Ahmed, the Nigerian government has signed a tripartite agreement with Chad and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to facilitate repatriation. A recent operation successfully returned 3,000 Nigerians from Chad, and efforts are underway to continue repatriations from both Chad and Cameroon in the coming weeks.

The UN’s Perspective on Nigeria’s Refugee Crisis

Bernadette Muteshi, Deputy Representative of UNHCR Nigeria, emphasized the importance of government leadership in addressing the crisis: “We are leaning greatly on the governments responsible for leadership and ownership of the process.” She stressed that the UNHCR is committed to ensuring that the repatriation agreements are fully implemented.

Mass Exodus: A Reflection of Nigeria’s Economic and Security Woes

This crisis is not new. Last year, a viral video surfaced showing approximately 40,000 Nigerians being received in Niger Republic as refugees. This migration was driven by worsening economic conditions and escalating insecurity.

Food shortages have become a national emergency. Prices of staple foods such as maize, rice, millet, and beans have skyrocketed, making survival nearly impossible for many families. Protests erupted in states like Niger, Kano, Oyo, Lagos, and Sokoto, where citizens decried the unaffordable cost of food and the harsh economic policies that have plunged them into hardship.

Simultaneously, violent attacks from terrorist groups, Fulani herdsmen militia, bandits, and kidnappers have made daily life unbearable. Kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative business, further endangering citizens.

Experts Weigh in on the Refugee Crisis

Yusuf Shehu, a former lawmaker from Katsina State, acknowledged that some Nigerians are migrating to Niger Republic due to historical socio-cultural ties. However, he admitted that insecurity and economic distress are the primary drivers of this mass exodus. “Many people would rather live in Niger or Chad than face the insecurity in Nigeria. Besides, Niger’s currency is currently stronger than the Nigerian Naira,” he noted.

Mallam Sabiu Ibrahim emphasized that Nigerians are not fleeing because those countries are better, but because they believe their lives and livelihoods will be safer there. Many of these migrants, he explained, originally aimed to reach Libya and Europe but became stranded along the way.

Dr. Pogu Bitrus, President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), echoed these sentiments, stating that “Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians are already in Niger, Chad, and Cameroon because of insecurity and economic hardship.” He warned that as long as these problems persist, more people will continue to flee the country.

A Call for Urgent Government Intervention

Abdullahi Fago, an educationist from Maiduwa, Katsina State, called the situation an embarrassment for Nigeria. “Never before have we seen Nigerians migrating to Niger due to hunger and insecurity at such an alarming rate,” he lamented. He urged the government to act swiftly before the crisis spirals further out of control.

Migration expert Osita Osemene believes the only solution lies in fixing Nigeria’s economy and ensuring security. “If the economy improves and people feel safe, unnecessary migration will stop,” he asserted. He also warned that many Nigerians who embark on these journeys are deceived by traffickers who exploit their desperation.

Nigeria at a Crossroads

The reality is grim: Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, coupled with persistent insecurity, have forced hundreds of thousands to seek refuge in neighboring countries. Without urgent government action to address food scarcity, inflation, and security threats, this trend will only escalate.

The government must take decisive action to restore stability, provide economic relief, and secure the nation’s borders. Failure to do so will not only deepen Nigeria’s crisis but also strain relations with neighboring countries struggling to accommodate the growing number of refugees.

As the old saying goes, “A stitch in time saves nine.” Now is the time for the Nigerian government to act—before it’s too late.