3.6.2. Refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs

3.6.2. Refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs

According to UNHCR, the proportion of child and young refugees, and asylum seekers, enrolled in primary and secondary education in Southern states in 2024 was 53.66 % and 39.2 %, respectively.1172 The enrolment rate in primary education increased from 49 % to 54 % in 2024, while the rate for secondary education was at 39 %.1173 The enrolment rate in tertiary and higher education for refugees and asylum seekers was 1.78 %.1174

The same source indicated that factors such as language, affordability, and school fees prevented full access and retention of child and young refugees in schools.1175 In 2024, UNHCR enrolled around 3 500 refugee children in public schools in Benue, Cross River, and Tabara, and provided assistance to cover school fees, examination costs, and educational materials.1176 UNHCR also provided, through local funded programs, training in digital services to over 2 000 student refuges, and granted over 150 university scholarships.1177 UNHCR indicated that vocational training benefitted 1 250 refugee women, 900 received microfinance to start businesses, and 20 childcare centres were open to support women's participation in leadership and economic activities.1178

Without providing further information, a senior representative at NCFRMI indicated that returnees arriving through assisted return programmes usually receive some form of reintegration support, and in cases of forced returns, the NCFRMI typically refer the case to the Ministry of Education; children of elementary school age can be enrolled in Nigeria’s universal basic education system, which is free. The same source indicated, however, that ‘children of returnees who return unnoticed or without formal documentation often fall through the cracks and miss out on this support’.1179