Civil Society Organisation, Gender Educators and Empowerment Initiative (GEEI), has raised concerns over what it describes as an alarming increase in cases of malnutrition among women and children living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across Northwest Nigeria.

The society raised the concern just as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at another forum, signed into law the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), widely known as the Kampala Convention, in a move aimed at strengthening humanitarian protection and safeguarding the rights and dignity of displaced citizens across Nigeria.

GEEI made its observation on the increase in cases of malnutrition among women in a statement issued by its Founder/Executive Lead, Shafa’atu Suleiman, as part of activities to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026.

It advocated urgent, coordinated interventions to address the worsening humanitarian situation affecting displaced populations in the region.

According to GEEI, persistent insecurity and armed conflicts across several states in the North-West have forced thousands of families to flee their homes, leaving behind their farms, livelihoods and social support systems.

The group noted that the impact of displacement had been particularly severe on women and children, who faced heightened risks of hunger, poor health and limited access to essential services in IDP camps.

It attributed the trend to limited access to nutritious food, inadequate maternal healthcare services, poor sanitation conditions and the psychological stress associated with prolonged displacement.

GEEI reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for vulnerable women and girls while working with partners to expand access to nutrition, healthcare, education and economic opportunities for displaced populations.

TINUBU signed into law the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of IDPs, titled “Act to Give Effect to the Provisions of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria; and for Related Matters.”

The bill was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, alongside six co-sponsors: Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, Khadijat Bukar Ibrahim, Blessing Onuh, Nasiru Shehu, Felix Uche Nwaeke, and Steve Fatoba.

The Act, which was earlier passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, seeks to domesticate and enforce the provisions of the AU convention designed to protect and assist internally displaced persons.
The law outlines measures to prevent and eliminate the root causes of displacement, ensure protection of the human rights of IDPs in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), and define the responsibilities of government agencies and non-state actors in responding to displacement.
Reacting to the development, Deputy Speaker Kalu commended President Tinubu, saying the move demonstrated the administration’s commitment to addressing the plight of displaced citizens.