ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT Of THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AFRICAN UNION CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPs) IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The increasing number of IDPs in Nigeria is either mostly due to weak institutional mechanisms or the absence of political will to implement the African Union’s convention on the rights of internally displaced persons. The major thrust of this study is to examine the impact of the implementation of the AU’s Kampala Convention on the rights of internally displaced persons in Nigeria. The study adopted the social inclusion theory as a theoretical framework. The theory vigorously argued that the disabled, internally displaced persons, refugees, lone parents, and the uninsured unemployed are excluded from a broad range of areas of social and economic participation. The study used a mixed research design which entailed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data collected were analyzed through the use of simple percentage and content analysis. Findings showed that the AU Convention on the rights of IDPs in Nigeria has shed more light on the lives of IDPs in Nigeria through strengthening institutional mechanisms for the implementation of AU convention. The study further noted that despite Nigeria’s willingness and efforts to implement the AU convention on the rights of the IDPs, IDPs still encounter enormous challenges. These challenges stem from the aftermath of colonial exploitation; issues of state sovereignty; weak enforcement and accountability measures. The study concluded that the while the Kampala Convention has contributed significantly to shaping the Nigerian narrative on internal displacement, there is nonetheless, enough room for further improvement particularly in the area of best practices. Finally, the paper recommends that to sustain the future of the Kampala Convention, there should be the continental adoption of a sustained multi-stakeholder public awareness raising on the protection and assistance of IDPs; the emergence of regulatory frameworks on IDPs’ protection at the national level; enhanced institutional capacity of institutions; and improved efficacy of AU organs in the sphere of response to issues of internal displacement.