Over 250,000 Nigerians Living as Refugees Abroad – NCFRMI

The Federal Government has disclosed that over 250,000 Nigerians are currently living as refugees in countries such as Libya, South Sudan, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

This was revealed by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) during a road walk held in Abuja to mark the 2025 World Refugee Day.

According to the Federal Commissioner of the Commission, Tijani Ahmed, Cameroon alone hosts about 125,000 Nigerian refugees, while others are spread across several conflict-prone regions. He also stated that Nigeria currently hosts no fewer than 135,000 refugees from other countries.

Ahmed noted that President Bola Tinubu has consistently supported the Commission’s mandate to care for migrants, refugees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and remains committed to strengthening that support.

Also speaking at the event, Alozie Godfrey, Senior Humanitarian Officer at the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the regional body’s humanitarian efforts. He stated that in the past year, ECOWAS allocated $9 million to support refugees and persons of concern across its 15 member states, with Nigeria receiving $1.7 million of that funding.

Addressing concerns about the possible deportation of Nigerian migrants from the United States, Ahmed explained that the matter remains a policy statement at this point. However, the Nigerian government has constituted a committee to proactively prepare for any repatriation scenario.

We are ready to receive our people and provide them with the livelihood support they deserve,” Ahmed assured.

This year, we are continuing our support across West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, to ensure that refugees and IDPs are given their rights and needed assistance,” Godfrey said. “Despite limited resources, ECOWAS remains committed to working with partners to improve the welfare of displaced persons.”

World Refugee Day, commemorated annually on June 20, is dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of refugees globally. Nigeria's growing refugee population both incoming and outgoing highlights the urgent need for robust regional and international collaboration to address displacement caused by conflict, poverty, and instability.