The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says more than 21,000 refugees in Nigeria remain unregistered, raising concerns about their access to protection and basic services.
UNHCR’s Representative in Nigeria, Chansa Kapaya, disclosed the figure during a press briefing in Abuja. She noted that the unregistered refugees, mostly from Cameroon, live across host communities in the country’s border regions.
“Proper registration is crucial for us to ensure their safety, provide humanitarian assistance, and plan durable solutions,” Kapaya said.
Most of the affected refugees fled violence and insecurity in Cameroon’s southwest and northwest regions, where separatist unrest has displaced hundreds of thousands over the years. Nigeria currently hosts around 94,000 Cameroonian refugees, according to UNHCR figures.
Kapaya called for stronger collaboration with the Nigerian government to accelerate biometric registration and documentation. She emphasized that lack of legal status makes refugees vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and limited access to healthcare, education, and employment.
The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons acknowledged the gap and assured the public that efforts were ongoing to register all refugees.
“We are working with UNHCR and other partners to strengthen systems and ensure no one is left behind,” a commission official said.
UNHCR also appealed for increased funding, noting that only 30% of its $90 million appeal for Nigeria had been met in 2023. The agency said underfunding continues to hamper its ability to meet rising humanitarian needs.
