Vice President Kashim Shettima has labeled the alarming statistic of 35 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Africa—out of a global total of 76 million—as intolerable.
He voiced his concerns during the inaugural Africa roundtable on private sector solutions to internal displacement, held in Lagos under the theme ‘Bridging Futures: Converging for Solutions,’ organized by the Nigerian government in partnership with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
Represented by his Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Mr. Tope Fasua, Shettima expressed gratitude to the 11 African nations, UNHCR, and private sector participants at the two-day event. He emphasized the need for innovative solutions to manage and prevent conflicts and displacements effectively.
“This gathering marks a crucial step in our collective effort to support forcibly displaced communities. Our shared objective in the coming days is to discover ways to actively engage the private sector in assisting internally displaced persons and addressing their challenges,” Shettima remarked.
He pointed out that the magnitude of the displacement crisis has reached a point where government interventions alone are insufficient. “Africa unfortunately houses half of the global population of displaced individuals. This reality is unacceptable. Millions have been forced to jeopardize their lives due to conflicts, violence, and climate change,” he stated.
Shettima highlighted the exacerbating effects of climate change, which has led to resource scarcity and increased conflicts over essentials like water, land, and food. “Climate change is not merely an environmental issue; it is a catalyst for disasters such as desertification and flooding, which disrupt vital supply chains,” he explained.
He acknowledged the collaborative efforts with UN Secretary General’s representative, Mr. Robert Piper, in tackling climate-induced displacement in Nigeria. “Thanks to Mr. Piper’s leadership, we have made significant strides, including launching state action plans in Yobe and Adamawa, with plans to expand to other states,” he added.
The Vice President reiterated the importance of a multi-faceted approach to combat the growing crisis: “While governments hold the primary responsibility for their citizens, the active involvement of our development partners and the private sector is indispensable. Their engagement should be viewed as an investment in the future of communities affected by displacement, rather than merely as a loss.”
Shettima emphasized that an enabling regulatory environment is essential for businesses to engage with IDPs. “We must ensure the right incentives and support systems are in place for the private sector to thrive while working with displaced communities, as the costs associated with building infrastructure and security in these areas can be significantly higher than in more stable regions.”
