Tinubu Signs Kampala Convention to Protect IDPs

President Bola Tinubu has signed the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) into law. This landmark legislation, often referred to as the Kampala Convention, formally integrates the 2009 regional treaty into Nigeria’s domestic legal framework. The move aims to address the systemic failures in managing the nation’s displacement crisis, which has left millions in squalid, informal camps. By domesticating this treaty, the government now has a binding legal mandate to uphold the rights and dignity of those uprooted by conflict and disaster.

The Act provides a robust institutional framework to prevent arbitrary displacement and mitigate its root causes. For the first time, forced movement without lawful justification is explicitly criminalised, carrying penalties that include imprisonment and fines of at least ₦5,000,000. It shifts the perception of IDPs from passive victims to rights-holders entitled to healthcare, education, and the right to vote. This rights-based approach is intended to replace the often fragmented and ad-hoc humanitarian responses of the past.

Central to the new law is the establishment of the Internally Displaced Persons Management Fund. This fund will provide structured financial resources, appropriated by the National Assembly, to ensure that humanitarian aid is not solely dependent on erratic donor funding. An Internal Displacement Coordination Committee will lead the national response, overseen by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. This body is legally mandated to prioritise “durable solutions,” such as safe return, local integration, or resettlement.

The legislation also introduces specific protections for the most vulnerable among the displaced population. It mandates tailored psychosocial and medical support for expectant mothers, children, and persons with disabilities. This gender-sensitive framework recognises that displacement does not affect all citizens equally. By codifying these protections, the Act seeks to end the cycle of neglect that has characterised many of Nigeria’s overcrowded and under-resourced shelters.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the bill’s lead sponsor, described the signing as a victory for human dignity. He noted that while regional infrastructure projects are vital, this Act provides the essential “safety net” for human lives. Nigeria now joins 32 other African Union member states that have formally enforced the convention. The international community has been called upon to partner with the federal government to address the underlying drivers of displacement, including insurgency and banditry.

While the law represents a significant legislative milestone, its success will depend entirely on implementation. The transition from policy to reality rests with the newly mandated Coordination Committee and the consistent flow of capital into the Management Fund. Millions of Nigerians living in the shadow of conflict are now watching to see if this “shield” of a law will translate into tangible security. For a nation with one of the world’s largest displaced populations, the stakes could not be higher.