INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE LAW AND NATIONAL IMMIGRATION POLICY IN NIGERIA (2015-2023)

This study explores the intersection between international refugee law and Nigeria’s national immigration policies from 2015 to 2023, a period marked by regional instability and heightened refugee inflows, especially from Cameroon. Drawing on the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, its 1967 Protocol, and the 1969 OAU Convention, the research critically examines how Nigeria has responded to its international obligations while managing domestic concerns such as security, sovereignty, and resource limitations. Using a qualitative method that includes expert interviews and documentary analysis, the study reveals that while Nigeria has ratified key refugee instruments and adopted policy frameworks like the 2015 National Migration Policy and the 2021 National Policy on IDPs and Refugees, the domestication and enforcement of these frameworks remain inconsistent. The research identifies key gaps in legal implementation, institutional coordination, and long-term refugee integration. Although there have been successes, such as Nigeria’s refusal to refoul Cameroonian refugees and efforts by the NCFRMI in coordination with international agencies, structural challenges like underfunding, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and security-driven approaches hinder sustainable protection. The study concludes that Nigeria’s refugee governance is characterized by policy ambiguity and partial compliance with international standards. It recommends amongst other that the enactment of a comprehensive national refugee law, enhanced institutional capacity for the NCFRMI, and stronger frameworks for refugee self-reliance and integration.