Coordinating Durable Solutions for Displacement in Nigeria

Nigeria is grappling with escalating climate-induced displacement, exacerbating conflicts between communities and fueling internal displacement.  In the face of these growing challenges, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria is playing a pivotal role, leveraging the strengths of various UN agencies to deliver a comprehensive response.  

In an interview with UN News, UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed M. Malick Fall, details the UN in Nigeria's collaborative approach to tackling this crisis. He emphasizes the role of the Office of the Resident Coordinator (RCO) in bringing together agencies on the ground to implement a strategy that encompasses both immediate humanitarian relief and long-term sustainable development initiatives. This dual focus is evident in the recently launched State Action Plans on Durable Solutions to Internal Displacement in Nigeria, a groundbreaking initiative jointly developed by the Government of Nigeria and the United Nations that aims to facilitate the safe return and reintegration of those affected by conflict and environmental shocks.

The Resident Coordinator underscores the intensifying impact of climate change on internal displacement in Nigeria, particularly highlighting the exacerbating effects of drought on intercommunal clashes between herders and farmers. He stresses that while the UN is committed to providing urgent relief, it also recognizes that lasting peace and stability can only be achieved through sustainable development.

Despite the complex challenges facing Nigeria, RC Fall remains optimistic, citing the country's vast potential and the resilience of its people. He reiterates the UN’s commitment to help alleviate immediate suffering, while empowering Nigerians to build a brighter future for their nation.

To learn more about the UN's comprehensive approach and the challenges and opportunities in Nigeria, watch the full interview below. For more on the work of the UN in Nigeria visit nigeria.un.org.