The World Bank has approved a massive $300 million funding package to help Nigeria strengthen resilience and expand access to essential services for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the host communities that shelter them, particularly in the conflict-hit northern region.
The funding will support the Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project (SOLID), targeting Local Government Areas hardest hit by years of insurgency, violence, and insecurity. According to the World Bank, the project is expected to directly impact about 7.4 million people, including 1.3 million IDPs, by implementing an integrated development plan aligned with Nigeria’s long-term growth and stability agenda.
Conflict and insecurity in Northern Nigeria have already forced more than 3.5 million people from their homes, placing enormous strain on host communities whose limited infrastructure and services are buckling under the pressure. The influx of displaced families has intensified competition for food, water, and jobs, while also increasing vulnerability to disasters such as flooding. Local authorities continue to grapple with the challenge of meeting the needs of both residents and displaced populations.
The SOLID project builds on existing government and international initiatives, as well as the earlier Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP), which focused on immediate post-conflict recovery. This new phase shifts the focus to long-term stability by developing climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting economic opportunities through livelihood support, and strengthening institutional capacity to manage demographic pressures.
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Mathew Verghis, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, described the initiative as a game-changer for the nation’s displacement crisis. “We are pleased to support this project, which can help Nigeria tackle the complex development challenges of prolonged displacement in a sustainable way. By moving IDPs and host communities from dependence on humanitarian aid to self-reliance, we can create stronger, more resilient local economies,” Verghis said.
The plan includes participatory community planning, the creation of economic cooperatives, and targeted investments in essential services to bridge infrastructure gaps. Task Team Leaders Fuad Malkawi and Christopher Johnson emphasized that the approach is designed to foster social cohesion while delivering tangible improvements in health, education, and economic activity for both IDPs and host residents.
The World Bank stressed that the project will be implemented through a coordinated, community-driven strategy involving all tiers of government, alongside close collaboration with international partners, to ensure lasting impact.
