Nigeria moves to domesticate Kampala Convention, sets pace in Africa

The African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria has reaffirmed its strong commitment to the implementation of the Kampala Convention Domestication Bill, 2025, as the nation awaits presidential assent.

The assurance came from the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, Hon. Jabiru Salisu Abdullahi, during a high-level strategic meeting with a delegation led by Mr. Hamza Baba, Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP). The meeting, attended by officials from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and representatives of the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), underscored Nigeria’s determination to take a leading role in protecting the rights and dignity of internally displaced persons.

The Kampala Convention, a landmark legal framework established by the African Union, is designed to safeguard millions displaced by conflict, natural disasters, and other crises. With only two African nations actively advancing its domestication, Nigeria’s leadership in this process is being closely watched across the continent. Mr. Baba, speaking at the meeting, stressed the urgency of swift implementation once the Bill becomes law, warning that any delay could worsen the humanitarian challenges faced by internally displaced communities.

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Responding, Hon. Abdullahi assured stakeholders that AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria would remain fully engaged throughout the domestication and implementation phases. He emphasized that the initiative would feature prominently in Nigeria’s Country Report to the African Union, presenting the country as a model for effective humanitarian governance. He further noted that domestication of the Kampala Convention is not just a legal obligation but a moral imperative to improve the lives of vulnerable citizens, promote regional stability, and inspire other African nations to follow suit.

This proactive stance by Nigeria signals a decisive step toward stronger legal protection for IDPs, positioning the country as a humanitarian leader in Africa. With presidential approval imminent, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria is set to drive a new era of accountability, protection, and hope for displaced persons nationwide.

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