President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), known as the Kampala Convention.
The new Act seeks to protect displaced citizens, uphold their dignity, and provide a legal framework for humanitarian response in Nigeria.
The law was sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and cosponsored by Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, Khadijat Bukar Ibrahim, Blessing Onuh, Nasiru Shehu, Felix Uche Nwaeke, and Steve Fatoba.
It domesticates the African Union Convention, making it enforceable in Nigeria.
The legislation aims to eliminate the root causes of displacement, including insurgency, banditry, farmer-herder conflicts, and natural disasters.
It also provides for prevention, protection, assistance, and durable solutions for IDPs.
A Framework for Protection
The Act establishes obligations for government agencies and non-state actors. It ensures human rights protection for IDPs in line with Nigeria’s Constitution and international agreements.
It also creates a gender-friendly framework for national response, coordination, and humanitarian interventions.
The law promotes solidarity and cooperation among state parties and agencies to combat displacement.
It seeks to address overcrowded shelters, poor healthcare, and limited education access faced by millions of IDPs in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s humanitarian crisis has left displaced citizens struggling with poverty, hunger, disease, and insecurity in informal camps.
The new law is expected to improve living conditions and restore trust in government efforts.
Benjamin Kalu praised President Tinubu for signing the Act. He said Tinubu has “given a human face to the suffering of IDPs, demonstrating his commitment to addressing their plight.”
Kalu called on Nigerians to support the government’s efforts.
“We must work together to address the humanitarian crisis and provide durable solutions for IDPs. The international community is also called upon to partner with Nigeria in addressing the root causes of displacement,” he added.
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