The Principle of Non-Refoulement and Nigeria’s Obligations to Asylum Seekers from the Lake Chad Basin

This paper examines Nigeria's obligations under the principle of non-refoulement towards asylum seekers and refugees fleeing violence in the Lake Chad Basin, particularly those arriving in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Non-refoulement, enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention and customary international law, prohibits states from returning individuals to territories where they face a real risk of persecution, torture, or inhumane treatment. The study employs a descriptive legal methodology, analysing Nigeria's domestic refugee legislation, recent reports from UNHCR and the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, and judicial decisions relevant to refugee protection. The paper evaluates the extent to which Nigeria's National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) adheres to non-refoulement standards in managing cross-border displacement in the Lake Chad Basin region. It finds that operational pressures, security concerns, and limited institutional capacity have at times led to refoulement practices inconsistent with Nigeria's international obligations. The study identifies specific instances of forced returns and inadequate screening procedures that fall below international standards. It recommends strengthening the NCFRMI's legal mandate, improving coordination between military and humanitarian actors, and increasing funding for refugee reception centres in the North East. Keywords: non-refoulement, Lake Chad Basin, asylum seekers, UNHCR, North East Nigeria.