Tinubu Signs Law for Protection of Internally Displaced Persons

On February 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Kampala Convention Bill into law, which formalizes the integration of the African Union treaty on internally displaced persons (IDPs) into Nigerian law. This legislation, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu, aims to provide a legal framework for the protection and assistance of IDPs in Nigeria.

The Kampala Convention, adopted by the African Union in 2009, is the continent's first legally binding instrument focused on the rights of IDPs. Prior to this bill, Nigeria had signed the treaty in 2009, but it had not been domestically enforced.

The new law seeks to prevent arbitrary displacement due to armed conflict, violence, civil unrest, and disasters. It also aims to strengthen coordination among government agencies and humanitarian actors to ensure timely assistance and rehabilitation for affected communities.

Kalu's legislative efforts reflect a broader commitment to humanitarian and social protection in Nigeria.