Refugee Rights and the Nigerian Asylum System: Access to Protection in the Federal Capital Territory

This research examines the asylum system in Nigeria and the rights of refugees and asylum seekers residing in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with reference to Nigeria's obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, its 1967 Protocol, and the 1969 OAU Convention on Refugee Problems in Africa. Nigeria hosts a growing population of refugees and asylum seekers from Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, and other conflict-affected countries, yet its national refugee management framework remains underdeveloped. The study draws on the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons Act and assesses its practical implementation through interviews with asylum seekers, UNHCR Nigeria, legal aid providers, and immigration officers in Abuja. Secondary data include UNHCR statistical reports for 2022 to 2024 and Amnesty International documentation on deportation practices in Nigeria. Findings reveal significant delays in refugee status determination procedures, limited access to documentation, barriers to formal employment and education, and instances of arbitrary detention and refoulement. The study argues that these conditions reflect a protection gap between Nigeria's treaty commitments and domestic administrative practice. Recommendations include a dedicated refugee reception centre in Abuja, accelerated refugee status determination timelines, and legal aid provision for unrepresented asylum seekers. Keywords: refugee rights, asylum, UNHCR, Nigeria, non-refoulement.