The landscape of humanitarian response in Nigeria has been forever altered. With the presidential assent to the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (Domestication and Enforcement) Bill, 2024, Nigeria has moved to a robust, legally binding framework for its most vulnerable citizens. This Act is not just a legal document; it is a shield for the millions displaced by conflict, disasters, and development projects.
A New Standard of Protection
The domestication of the “Kampala Convention” brings Nigeria into full alignment with international human rights standards. Its importance is rooted in several critical shifts:
- Legal Accountability: For the first time, arbitrary displacement is explicitly criminalized, with stiff penalties—including imprisonment and fines of at least ₦5,000,000—for those who cause forced movement without lawful justification.
- A “Rights-Based” Approach: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are no longer seen as mere victims but as rights-holders entitled to education, healthcare, clean water, and the right to vote in accordance with the Constitution.
- The Management Fund: The Act establishes the Internally Displaced Persons Management Fund, ensuring that humanitarian assistance is backed by structured financial resources appropriated by the National Assembly.
- Protection of the Vulnerable: It mandates special protections for expectant mothers, children, and persons with disabilities, ensuring they receive tailored psychosocial and medical support.
This achievement serves as a perfect companion to Kalu’s previous work on regional development. While other initiatives focus on rebuilding infrastructure, the IDP Domestication Act provides a national safety net for human dignity. Together, they form a legacy of restorative justice.
The Bill underscores several key dimensions of legislative leadership. It reflects strategic foresight in recognizing that Nigeria’s response to internally displaced persons required the domestication of the Kampala Convention to provide a clear legal framework. It also promotes institutional coordination through the creation of an Internal Displacement Coordination Committee, designed to align the efforts of relevant ministries and agencies under the leadership of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and reduce fragmented responses. More broadly, the legislation addresses a nationwide humanitarian challenge, emphasizing durable solutions such as the safe return and reintegration of displaced persons.
From Policy to Reality
As the implementation phase begins, the focus shifts to the Internal Displacement Coordination Committee. This body is now legally mandated to ensure that the dignity of every displaced Nigerian is preserved and that durable solutions—such as safe return or local integration—are prioritized.
This Act is a victory for the rule of law and a beacon of hope for the displaced. Through the legislative persistence of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and the executive will of the President, Nigeria has taken a giant leap toward a more compassionate and just society.
Bond Ike Udeagha Anipr
National Assembly Library, Abuja
