Nigeria recorded a rise in new asylum applications in the first quarter of 2026, even as authorities significantly reduced the backlog of refugees awaiting formal registration, according to the latest data compiled with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Figures from monthly dashboards prepared jointly by the UN agency and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons show that the number of people seeking asylum increased from 1,528 at the end of December 2025 to 1,850 by March 2026 — a net rise of 322 persons over three months.
During the same period, the overall refugee and asylum-seeker population in Nigeria fell from 142,064 to 138,900.
The decline was largely linked to faster processing and registration, which cut the backlog of unregistered persons from 16,672 in December to 13,059 by March – a reduction of 3,613.
The data indicates that displacement from neighbouring Cameroon remains the primary source of refugee inflows into Nigeria, driven by the prolonged Anglophone conflict between government forces and separatist groups. Cameroonian nationals made up 119,641 of the total refugee and asylum-seeker population by March, accounting for about 86 per cent of the total.
Most of these refugees are concentrated in border communities. Cross River State hosts the largest number at 46,713 persons, followed by Adamawa State with 44,682. Others are in Taraba State (15,555), Benue State (8,872) and Akwa Ibom State (1,907). Only a small fraction live in formal camps, while many reside within host communities. Urban refugee populations are also present in Lagos, Abuja and Kano.
Refugees from the Niger Republic form the second-largest group, though their numbers dropped sharply from 17,104 in December to 13,449 in March following voluntary return efforts coordinated by Nigerian authorities and UNHCR. Smaller populations originate from Syria, Sudan and the Central African Republic, among others.
Demographic trends show that women make up 57 per cent of the refugee population, men 43 per cent, while children under 17 account for roughly half. Elderly persons aged 60 and above represent about five per cent.
As of March, 20,423 refugees were living in designated settlements, slightly down from December’s figure. The majority, however, live outside formal sites across border states.
Nigeria’s response is coordinated through a framework involving the refugee commission, UNHCR and partner organisations. The Federal Government has granted Temporary Protection Status to about 86,000 Cameroonian refugees, allowing them to remain in the country through June 2027 without undergoing lengthy individual status determinations during the mass influx.
A former Nigerian envoy to Singapore, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, said Nigeria must balance its humanitarian commitments with security vigilance.
He noted that while international conventions oblige the country to admit people fleeing persecution, authorities must remain alert to prevent possible infiltration by criminal elements exploiting refugee movements.
