HISTORICIZING INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT IN NIGERIA: STATE RESPONSE AND THE KAMPALA CONVENTION, 1967 – 2020
Authors: Margaret Chijioke Ibeku
Publication Details
Published: July 28, 2026
Reference: Volume 9, Issue 2
Abstract
Internal displacement in Nigeria can be traced back to the post-independence period. The current phase of displacement began on a large scale in the North East geo-political zone in 2009. To date, it remains one of the most persistent governance and humanitarian challenges confronting Nigeria. This study historicizes internal displacement in Nigeria by examining its patterns, causes, effects, and government efforts. This is done against the backdrop of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (the Kampala Convention), which was recently domesticated in Nigeria. It traces the progression of displacement from postindependence crises to the current situation, which is predominantly driven by security and environmental factors. The paper adopts a qualitative research design within the framework of historical-institutionalism theory. The study relies primarily on documentary sources, including policy documents such as the Kampala Convention, the Nigeria Kampala Domestication Act 2026, and the National IDP Policy; documents from government agencies and humanitarian organizations involved in the management of internal displacement; and peer-reviewed scholarly papers. The Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, herdsmen-farmers crisis, and environmental issues are identified as the major drivers of displacement in Nigeria, influenced by governance deficits, implementation gaps, and institutional fragmentation. The study concludes that internal displacement is not just a humanitarian concern but largely a governance issue. The following recommendations were made: For the strengthening of inter- agency coordination, the government should ensure the quick implementation of the Kampala Convention Act 2026; funding should be prioritised by the government, priority should also be given to enforcing early warning mechanisms, and institutional capacity-building should be carried out by all actors, both governmental and non-governmental
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Margaret Chijioke Ibeku. (2026). HISTORICIZING INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT IN NIGERIA: STATE RESPONSE AND THE KAMPALA CONVENTION, 1967 – 2020. ABIA JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES , Volume 9 (2) .