Over 21,000 Unregistered Refugees in Nigeria Lack Aid, UN Reports

The United Nations has disclosed that more than 21,800 foreign refugees and asylum seekers in Nigeria remain unregistered, leaving them without access to essential aid such as food, healthcare, and cash assistance.

According to UNHCR data from November 2025, Nigeria hosts a total of 127,000 refugees and asylum seekers from 41 countries. The vast majority—about 86%—are Cameroonians fleeing the prolonged conflict in the country’s Anglophone regions.

Officials cite staffing shortages, security issues, and logistical hurdles as key reasons for the registration backlog, particularly in border states like Borno, Adamawa, and Cross River.

“Registration can take weeks or even months,” a field officer explained anonymously, noting that unregistered individuals remain ineligible for humanitarian support while their cases are processed.

While Nigeria maintains an open-door policy in line with international conventions, former Ambassador Ogbole Amedu-Ode cautioned that border agencies must stay vigilant to prevent potential security risks amid the influx.

The refugee situation adds strain to Nigeria’s already severe displacement crisis, which includes 3.5 million internally displaced persons due to insurgency and recent devastating floods.