By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA – The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to improving the welfare and protection of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), assuring the United Nations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is taking deliberate and effective steps toward lasting solutions.
Speaking during a high-level United Nations virtual event commemorating the 27th anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, Kalu highlighted the federal government’s active measures to implement and domesticate the Kampala Convention — a landmark African Union treaty for the protection and assistance of IDPs.
Kalu, who featured as a distinguished panelist at the global event, emphasized that President Tinubu’s government is working to integrate the key provisions of the Convention into national law, alongside targeted interventions to rehabilitate and resettle displaced citizens, the statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Levinus Nwabughiogu, made available to Precise Post in Abuja, Nigeria on Wednesday
“We are taking concrete legislative steps to domesticate the Kampala Convention. I personally proposed a bill for this purpose, which has been approved by the House of Representatives and is now with the Senate for concurrence,” Kalu revealed. “The Senate report is ready and will be considered after our recess on April 29. Once passed, it will be sent to the President for assent.”
The Deputy Speaker expressed confidence that, following presidential assent, the states of the federation will align with the legislation to ensure a unified and coordinated national response to internal displacement.
Kalu said the principles guiding Nigeria’s action include protection from arbitrary displacement, safeguarding IDPs during displacement, the right to know the fate of missing relatives, and the right to return or be resettled — all of which form the bedrock of the Kampala Convention.
He added that the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) is already playing a key role, noting the successful resettlement of nearly 300 IDPs in Keffi, Nasarawa State, and Kano State, with over 40 new homes recently delivered.
“These efforts reflect the government’s strong commitment to integrating affected communities into sustainable economic activities,” Kalu stated. “The establishment of a resettlement city in Keffi is a model we intend to replicate across the country.”
The Deputy Speaker also pointed out that a national policy on IDPs is now in place to guide government actions, while legislative interventions continue to strengthen institutional support for IDPs.
He underscored the importance of addressing the root causes of displacement through collaborative mechanisms involving federal ministries, agencies, development partners, and international organizations.
“Even in the absence of domesticated legislation, the government is not waiting. We are proactively ensuring that the lives and livelihoods of our displaced citizens are protected and restored,” Kalu affirmed.
The Deputy Speaker’s remarks were delivered as part of Nigeria’s broader commitment to human rights and humanitarian responsibilities under international and regional conventions.
