More Nigerian refugees return as internal displacement surges
The number of Nigerian refugees voluntarily returning home has more than doubled, according to recent data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Most returnees are coming back from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger under a tripartite agreement, with all returning to Borno State. Meanwhile, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Nigeria has also seen a sharp increase, driven largely by ongoing violence and banditry. The situation highlights the ongoing humanitarian challenges facing Nigeria’s displaced populations.
What we know
- The number of Nigerian refugee returnees rose from 1,705 in February to 3,510 by April, an increase of 1,805.
- Data was published on May 1, 2026, and covers dashboards from February, March, and April 2026.
- Internally Displaced Persons surged by 166,795 between February and March, with the North West seeing the largest increase due to banditry in Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto.
- Security incidents in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe increased by 27 per cent between January and March 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
- In August 2025, the World Bank approved $300m for a project aimed at supporting internally displaced persons and host communities in Nigeria.
