Children constitute 82 per cent of the 9,290 internally displaced persons (IDPs) recorded across 11 Nigerian states, according to the October 2025 Human Rights Dashboard released by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The report highlights the growing impact of insecurity, climate shocks and collapsing livelihoods on vulnerable populations, particularly children.
Presenting the dashboard in Abuja, NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), described the situation as a deepening humanitarian emergency. He identified Yobe and Benue states as the worst affected, with 2,047 and 1,850 IDPs respectively, linked to insurgency, herders’ attacks and destruction of critical infrastructure.
Ojukwu, represented by the Director of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Harry Obe, said displacement exposed children to hunger, violence, disrupted education and health risks. The dashboard also recorded 215 asylum seekers in Taraba and Cross River, 583 refugees, and 472 returnees, 81 per cent of whom are children facing reintegration challenges.
The NHRC reported over 1,800 human rights violations during the period, including denial of access to food and shelter, restrictions on movement, gender-based violence and barriers to education. Despite interventions resolving and referring several cases, Ojukwu urged governments to domesticate the Kampala Convention and strengthen protection for displaced persons.