Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged the Federal Government to develop a coordinated national plan to tackle Nigeria’s escalating Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) crisis, describing the situation as a national emergency.
Speaking through his former Chief of Staff, Ade Ipaye, at the 10th House of Justice Summit in Kaduna on Friday, November 28, 2025, themed “From Camp to Justice”, Osinbajo highlighted that more than 3.4 million Nigerians—mostly women and children—are currently displaced by insurgency, communal clashes, and natural disasters The Punch newsclickng.com.
He warned that the conditions in IDP camps—marked by overcrowding, malnutrition, and lack of access to education—could have devastating long-term consequences if urgent action is not taken. “Displacement is not just a humanitarian challenge; it is a threat to the social fabric and the future of our children. We cannot afford piecemeal solutions,” Osinbajo said The Punch.
Context and Implications (woven into the narrative)
Osinbajo’s call reflects growing concern that Nigeria’s current approach—focused mainly on temporary relief through camps—is inadequate. Camps across the country are struggling to cope with rising populations, including children and persons with disabilities who have special needs keeploss.com.
Analysts note that without a nationally coordinated strategy covering emergency support, rehabilitation, and reintegration, Nigeria risks entrenching cycles of poverty and instability. The crisis also threatens to undermine development goals, as millions of displaced citizens remain excluded from education and economic opportunities.
By framing displacement as both a humanitarian and national security issue, Osinbajo’s intervention underscores the urgency of policy reform. His remarks are likely to intensify pressure on the government to move beyond ad hoc measures and adopt a long-term, systemic response.
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