By George Ozalla
Children now make up the majority of Nigeria’s displaced population, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has revealed, warning that over 55 percent of forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are children who face severe deprivation, including hunger, lack of education, and exposure to violence.
The revelation came during the launch of the NHRC’s new dashboard on FDPs and IDPs, a digital platform designed to track and report the welfare of displaced populations nationwide. The address was delivered on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Dr. Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu (SAN), by Mr. Benedict Agu.
According to the Commission’s data, of Nigeria’s estimated 3.5 million IDPs, approximately 1.9 million are children, while among 1.2 million FDPs, nearly 650,000 are children. The survey further revealed that more than 2 million displaced children have had their education disrupted, and a significant number are malnourished or lack access to basic healthcare.
“These figures paint a troubling picture: children are not just a vulnerable group; they are the majority among displaced populations, and their welfare must be prioritized,” Mr. Agu stated. He urged federal and state governments, civil society, and development partners to urgently provide protection, education, and psychosocial support for these children.
The NHRC dashboard, he added, will provide real-time data to policymakers and humanitarian actors, enabling evidence-based intervention and efficient resource allocation. State governments were also called upon to strengthen local monitoring mechanisms and ensure that relief programs adequately address the specific needs of displaced children.
The NHRC, tasked with promoting and protecting human rights across Nigeria, continues to prioritize the welfare of vulnerable groups, with this initiative marking a significant step toward using technology for proactive child protection and human rights monitoring.
