Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria: Legal Analysis of Displacement Situations in North East Nigeria

Internal displacement resulting from armed conflict and violence has created one of Africa's most severe humanitarian crises in North East Nigeria, with millions of individuals displaced primarily from Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States. The legal status of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria is governed by a patchwork of constitutional provisions, humanitarian law obligations, and the National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons. This research undertakes a legal analysis of the rights and protections available to IDPs in North East Nigeria, focusing on camps in Maiduguri and Yola. A qualitative research methodology was employed, incorporating interviews with camp administrators, protection officers from international humanitarian organisations, and IDP community representatives. Secondary data was obtained from UNHCR Nigeria, Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre reports, and academic studies from 2019 to 2024. The findings reveal that many IDPs in North East Nigeria lack formal documentation, limiting their access to healthcare, education, and livelihood assistance. The National Policy on IDPs has not been effectively implemented, and the legal status of camp residents remains ambiguous in relation to property rights in their areas of origin. Recommendations include enacting domestic legislation to operationalise the Kampala Convention obligations Nigeria has ratified, strengthening civil documentation services in IDP camps, and establishing a dedicated legal aid programme for displaced persons. This research provides a grounded legal assessment of IDP rights in North East Nigeria. Keywords: internally displaced persons, IDP rights, North East Nigeria, Kampala Convention, displacement law.