The Legal Framework for Refugee Protection in Nigeria: Examining the Treatment of Cameroonian Refugees in Taraba and Cross River States

Nigeria hosts a significant population of refugees and asylum seekers, including Cameroonian refugees who have fled the ongoing Anglophone crisis. Cross River and Taraba States, which share borders with Cameroon, have received substantial refugee inflows in recent years, raising important questions about the adequacy of Nigeria's refugee protection framework. This research examines the legal framework for refugee protection in Nigeria, with specific focus on the implementation of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons Act. Primary data was gathered through fieldwork at two refugee camps in Taraba State and one in Cross River State, involving interviews with camp managers, UNHCR officials, and refugee community representatives. Secondary sources include UNHCR Nigeria reports, human rights organisation assessments, and academic literature from 2020 to 2024. The findings reveal significant gaps in refugee registration, documentation, and access to legal protection, with many refugees unable to access formal asylum determination procedures. The research identifies resource constraints and limited inter-agency coordination as key systemic challenges. Recommendations include strengthening the National Commission for Refugees' operational capacity, establishing a formal refugee status determination procedure aligned with international standards, and ensuring refugee access to legal aid services. This study provides an empirically grounded contribution to refugee law scholarship in Nigeria. Keywords: refugee law, Cameroonian refugees, Taraba State, asylum protection, UNHCR Nigeria.