Resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria: the housing problems facing IDPs in Abuja camps and the risk of homelessness and secondary displacement

ABSTRACT

Internal displacement remains the worst humanitarian crisis facing Nigeria, with an estimated 2.7 million persons displaced in the North-East at the end of 2020 as a result of conflicts. Many of these internally displaced persons (IDPs) migrated to Abuja where they live in dilapidated homes and are at constant risk of becoming homeless because the government has no existing plan for IDPs’ resettlement. This study aimed to explore the housing challenges of IDPs in Abuja and how they can lead to secondary displacement. Data was collected from 38 IDPs using qualitative interviews and the collected data were analysed thematically with the aid of NVivo 12. Results revealed that the current housing conditions of the IDPs expose them to many diseases; the IDPs are at risk of secondary displacement which may endanger all the progress, development, and resilience build over the years. This points to a need for proper resettlement of the IDPs and highlights the need and roles of social workers in Nigeria. The study reveals how social workers can advocate for access to culture-sensitive and self-sustaining targeted resources, contribute to proper IDPs’ resettlement and reintegration, and influence the amendment and adoption of the 2003 National Policy on Internal Displacement.

KEYWORDS:

• Resettlement
• Internal displacement
• homelessness
• secondary displacement

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Prince Chiagozie Ekoh

Prince Chiagozie Ekoh is a teaching fellow at the Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His area of research interest is on migration and ageing. He is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary.

Uzoma O. Okoye

Uzoma Odera Okoye is a Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. She was a Fulbright Scholar at Boston College, USA during the 1999/2000 academic year. She is one of the founding faculty members of the Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2007.

Elizabeth Onyedikachi George

Elizabeth Onyedikachi George currently works as a member of the academic staff at the University of Nigeria’s department of social work, where she specialises in child and family social work. Her scholarly interest is focused on child protection and welfare, forced migration, social work with vulnerable populations. She is a PhD at VID Specialised University, Oslo.

Ejimkaraonye Chukwuemeka

Ejimkaraonye Chukwuemeka is a masters student at the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His area of research interest is in international relations.

Patricia U. Agbawodikeizu

Patricia Uju Agbawodikeizu is a teaching fellow at the Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her area of research interest is on ageing and health policies.