Nigeria

Protection Issues

Nigeria continues to face a complex and multifaceted protection crisis, driven by protracted armed conflict, climate-related shocks, and chronic underdevelopment. The situation is most acute in the north-east, particularly in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) States, where the Boko Haram insurgency and its offshoots, including ISWAP, have perpetuated violence, displacement, and humanitarian needs for over 15 years. As of early 2025, 2.3 million people remain internally displaced in the BAY states. Armed groups continue to target civilians through killings, abductions, extortions and restrictions of movement. The location of services and livelihood opportunities (e.g., farming, firewood collection, markets, healthcare) outside secured zones forces civilians to leave safer areas, exposing them to heightened protection risks. The widespread use of improvised explosive devices by non-state armed groups and the presence of explosive ordnance, including in return locations, further undermines safety and freedom of movement. GBV incidents continue to be reported in the BAY states, with intimate partner violence and sexual exploitation among the most common forms. Adolescent girls face heightened risks, including forced marriage and survival sex.  In addition, the humanitarian transition itself may create new protection risks if specialized GBV coordination, referral pathways, survivor access to services, and community based protection mechanisms are not adequately sustained during and after the transition process. Nigeria also remains one of the countries with the highest number of grave violations against children, including forced recruitment. Despite the development of state-level action plans and relocation strategies, pathways towards durable solutions remain limited, with 2.1 million returnees facing significant reintegration challenges. Insecurity, unresolved housing, land, and property issues, and the lack of access to basic services continue to hinder sustainable returns. Many returnees face secondary displacement due to ongoing violence and inadequate support.