President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law a landmark bill domestifying the Kampala Convention, a move aimed at strengthening protection and humanitarian support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) across Nigeria.
The legislation, titled “Act to Give Effect to the Provisions of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria; and for Related Matters,” received presidential assent in February 2026.
The bill was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, alongside six co-sponsors: Jonathan Gbefwi, Khadijat Ibrahim, Blessing Onuh, Nasiru Shehu, Felix Nwaeke and Steve Fatoba.
Before receiving presidential assent, the bill had been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly of Nigeria as part of legislative efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s legal response to internal displacement.
The Act provides a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for preventing and addressing internal displacement while ensuring the protection, assistance and long-term rehabilitation of displaced persons within the country.
Among its key objectives are the prevention and mitigation of the root causes of displacement, the protection of the human rights of displaced citizens, and the provision of durable solutions for affected communities. It also outlines the responsibilities of government institutions, humanitarian organisations and other relevant actors in responding to displacement crises.
In addition, the law establishes a coordinated national framework for humanitarian interventions while promoting gender-sensitive approaches and collaboration among government agencies and non-state actors.
Nigeria was among the 32 member states of the African Union that ratified the Kampala Convention in 2009, a treaty designed to prevent displacement and strengthen protection for people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, disasters and other emergencies.
Observers say the domestication of the convention represents a major step toward improving Nigeria’s humanitarian response, particularly in IDP camps where displaced persons often face overcrowding, inadequate resources and limited access to healthcare and education.
Reacting to the development, Kalu praised President Tinubu for assenting to the bill, noting that the law demonstrates the administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by displaced Nigerians.
He called on citizens and the international community to support the government’s efforts in implementing the new legal framework, stressing that collective action would be essential to tackle the root causes of displacement and provide lasting solutions for affected populations.
