Nigeria Committed to Refugee Support on World Refugee Day

On World Refugee Day, Tijjani Ahm, the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, stated that Nigeria remains open to receiving refugees despite ongoing conflicts and the actions of armed groups that have led to displacement. During a press conference in Abuja, he emphasized the country's commitment to the principles of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to places where they may face persecution.

Ahm acknowledged the collaboration between the Federal Commission for Refugees, the Borno State government, and the UNHCR in repatriating thousands of displaced individuals. He urged humanitarian partners to continue supporting displaced populations, especially as UNHCR faces financial resource constraints.

Bernadett Muteshi, the UNHCR Deputy Representative in Nigeria, noted that there are currently 42 million registered refugees globally and reminded stakeholders of the relevance of the 1951 Refugee Convention, which was adopted 75 years ago.