Funding Remains a Significant Barrier in Resettling Nigeria’s IDPs, Says Aliyu Ahmed

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Honourable Aliyu Tijani Ahmed, has pointed out that securing adequate funding is a major hurdle in the resettlement of IDPs within Nigeria.

In his remarks, Ahmed disclosed that the Commission is engaging with private businesses, notably the Dangote Group, to garner resources and support for the resettlement efforts of IDPs.

He made these statements during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday.

"Funding remains one of the primary challenges. It is not feasible to rely solely on the government to cater to the large population of IDPs in our country. Thus, involving business leaders has become crucial. That is why the National Commission is actively seeking connections with prominent industrialists, including the Dangote Group and the Abdul Samad Group," he stated.

Continuing, he expressed optimism about the response from these business leaders, saying, "I see positive signs of engagement, and we anticipate substantial support from these industrialists, particularly from the Dangote Group and Abdul Samad Group, with whom we have already initiated discussions. They are making efforts to help the Commission ensure sustainable solutions for IDPs."

Furthermore, Ahmed stressed the importance of articulating specific support requests and emphasized that providing livelihoods and housing for displaced individuals is paramount.

"Before offering assistance, it is essential to ensure that displaced persons have adequate livelihoods. As a key stakeholder in food production, I am confident that Dangote will support us in this area. Likewise, Abdul Samad has indicated their readiness to assist us in our plans to provide shelter for these displaced persons. We are collaborating with their foundations, too," he elaborated.

He also mentioned ongoing collaborative efforts, revealing that the Commission has reached out to other private companies.

"We have approached T.Y. Danjuma and have also contacted other prominent individuals in Akwa Ibom State, all of whom are inclined to offer agricultural equipment to assist not just displaced persons but also refugees, as Nigeria hosts a significant number of refugees. These initiatives are part of our collective efforts; we cannot rely solely on the government to manage this pressing issue," he explained.

Ahmed emphasized that while both government and private sector involvement is vital, genuine resettlement success necessitates empowering IDPs through skills training and acquisition initiatives.

"It is imperative to understand that no matter how much the government or business leaders contribute, the numbers are overwhelming. We cannot perpetually provide mere handouts to these populations. We must develop a system to teach them to be self-sufficient. That is why we are integrating training programs in our skill acquisition centers. We have established permanent resettlement centers such as in Keffi in Nasarawa State, Katsina, Maiduguri, Kano, and Zamfara. These centers are dedicated to supporting IDPs," he articulated.

He underscored the necessity of patience in achieving progress, noting that in the past two years, roughly 322 IDPs have successfully been resettled through the facility in Keffi.

"Since we commissioned the Keffi center two years ago, it has been a remarkable success. Approximately 322 individuals have been resettled there," he concluded.