UN reports that 21,807 unregistered refugees in Nigeria lack access to food, healthcare, and other essential humanitarian services

At least 21,807 foreign refugees and asylum seekers fleeing violence in neighbouring countries remain unregistered in Nigeria, depriving them of food assistance, healthcare, and other essential services, the United Nations has revealed.

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The figures are contained in the November 2025 dashboard of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, obtained in Abuja on Monday.

According to the data, the unregistered refugees are predominantly from Cameroon’s conflict-hit Anglophone regions.

The UNHCR said Nigeria currently hosts about 127,000 refugees and asylum seekers from 41 countries.

Of this figure, 80,915 are recognised refugees, while more than 25,000 asylum seekers are undergoing Refugee Status Determination procedures.

Analysis of successive UNHCR dashboards shows that the number of unregistered refugees has fluctuated significantly over the past year.

The backlog rose from 21,095 in December 2024 to a peak of 32,750 in June 2025, representing a 55 per cent increase within six months.

By November 2025, the figure declined to 21,807, although it remains higher than the March 2025 level of 20,997.

The data suggests that new arrivals continue to outpace Nigeria’s registration capacity.

Unregistered refugees are ineligible for UNHCR food stipends, cash assistance, health insurance schemes, and other humanitarian support.

As a result, thousands remain in limbo, struggling to meet basic needs within host communities.

An official familiar with the registration process said enrolment delays were caused by staffing shortages, security constraints, and logistical challenges.

The official said the challenges were most pronounced in Borno, Adamawa, and Cross River States, which receive the highest number of new arrivals.

UNHCR data shows that Cameroonians account for about 86 per cent of Nigeria’s refugee population, numbering roughly 119,208 people.

Other refugee populations originate from Niger, the Central African Republic, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Women and girls make up slightly more than half of the refugee population, while children account for nearly 60 per cent.

Most refugees live within host communities across Cross River, Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Benue, and Adamawa States, rather than in formal camps.

Urban centres including Lagos, Abuja, and Kano also host refugees, some of whom have lived in Nigeria for over a decade.

Nigeria’s asylum framework is guided by its obligations under the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1969 Organisation of African Unity Convention.

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, working with UNHCR and the Nigerian Immigration Service, is responsible for registration and status determination.

A former Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, said Nigeria must balance humanitarian obligations with security vigilance.

He warned that while asylum seekers deserve protection, authorities must guard against potential security risks.

The registration backlog comes amid a wider displacement crisis in Nigeria.

UNHCR estimates that 3.5 million Nigerians are internally displaced, mainly in the North-East, due to insurgency.

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The country is also hosting refugees while nearly 408,000 Nigerians remain displaced across neighbouring countries.