Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Borno State: Policy Responses and Governance Challenges

This study examines the policy responses to the humanitarian crisis generated by Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, focusing on the governance of internally displaced persons camps and the challenges of achieving durable solutions for displaced populations. The conflict in north-east Nigeria has produced one of the largest internal displacement crises on the African continent, with millions of people displaced from their homes in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. Using a qualitative research design, the study draws on interviews with displaced community members, staff of the National Emergency Management Agency, officials of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, and representatives of international humanitarian organisations operating in Maiduguri. The humanitarian governance framework and the rights-based approach to displacement are applied to assess the adequacy of existing policy responses. Findings indicate that while emergency assistance in displacement camps has improved over time, protection gaps remain severe, particularly for women and children who face heightened risks of gender-based violence, child labour, and exploitation. The transition from emergency relief to durable solutions including resettlement, integration, and voluntary return has been poorly managed, leaving many displaced persons in prolonged camp dependency. The North East geopolitical zone context shapes these findings, given the scale of conflict-induced displacement and the limited pre-existing state capacity in the affected areas. Recommendations include establishing an integrated displacement management framework, increasing community participation in resettlement planning, and expanding livelihoods programming for displaced populations. Keywords: internally displaced persons, Borno State, Boko Haram, humanitarian governance, displacement policy