Barbara Bako, Abuja.
The Federal Government has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and private sector stakeholders to drive investment and restore livelihoods in communities affected by displacement across Nigeria.
The collaboration centres on the proposed Leadership Alliance for Enterprise, Acceleration and Prosperity (LEAP) initiative, which aims to attract private capital into fragile communities while creating jobs and sustainable economic opportunities for internally displaced persons, refugees and host communities.
Speaking during a meeting with a UNHCR delegation led by its Nigeria Representative, Arjun Jain, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said rebuilding livelihoods must be a key part of efforts to reintegrate displaced populations into society.
Bagudu noted that displacement caused by insecurity and natural disasters disrupts farming, fishing, livestock production and other income-generating activities, leaving affected communities vulnerable to deeper poverty.
He said the LEAP initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s vision of building an inclusive, investment-driven economy capable of reaching its long-term $1 trillion economy target.
The minister stressed that government intervention should focus on reducing investment risks in vulnerable communities through improved security, road infrastructure, credit guarantees and insurance mechanisms that encourage responsible private-sector participation.
According to him, coordinated efforts involving the federal, state and local governments, development partners and investors are needed because both displaced and host communities face economic and social pressures.
Bagudu also pointed to existing World Bank-supported programmes, including NG-CARES and Nigeria for Women, as platforms that could support partnerships aimed at expanding livelihoods and resilience in affected communities.
He urged stakeholders to develop pilot projects that could serve as proof of concept before scaling the model nationwide, adding that displacement challenges cut across different parts of Nigeria.
Earlier, UNHCR’s Nigeria Representative, Arjun Jain, said the agency was shifting from humanitarian assistance towards long-term economic solutions that promote self-reliance for displaced people.
Jain said Nigeria is home to more than 3.7 million internally displaced persons and over 140,000 refugees and asylum seekers, making sustainable livelihood programmes increasingly urgent.
He said UNHCR has strengthened partnerships with state governments, development institutions and private companies, including Tropical General Investments (TGI), to expand agricultural opportunities in Benue and Cross River states.
According to him, the proposed LEAP initiative seeks to mobilise $10 billion in investment over five years across 10 states affected by displacement and fragility, with financing support from development finance institutions and commercial banks.
Jain added that UNHCR is also developing community-based early warning systems to improve security information and help investors make more informed decisions about opportunities in vulnerable communities.
He said the success of the initiative would depend on close collaboration among government, investors, development finance institutions and international partners to reduce investment risks and expand economic opportunities in displacement-affected communities.
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