Joel Ajayi
As the world marked World Refugee Day 2026 on June 20, FAME Foundation joined the global community in recognizing the resilience, courage, and struggles of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence, insecurity, and humanitarian crises.
The foundation noted that beyond the statistics of displacement are real people and families whose lives have been disrupted by circumstances beyond their control, stressing that they deserve safety, dignity, protection, and opportunities to rebuild their futures.
In Nigeria, rising insecurity, insurgency, banditry, communal clashes, and other violent conflicts continue to displace thousands of people. Many affected families face limited access to education, healthcare, livelihoods, and protection services, making sustained support and long-term solutions critical.
Speaking with journalists on Saturday, Executive Director of FAME Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, highlighted the harsh realities faced by displaced persons, especially women, girls, and children.
She said since its inception, the foundation has worked closely with internally displaced persons’ camps across Nigeria and has witnessed firsthand the deep challenges many displaced families endure beyond the loss of homes and livelihoods.
According to her, cases of exploitation, sexual abuse, neglect, and other protection concerns remain widespread among vulnerable women and girls living in displacement settings.
“We have seen heartbreaking cases where young girls are exploited and abused because of their vulnerable conditions. In some situations, girls are taken advantage of in exchange for something as little as a packet of noodles or one hundred naira. No girl should ever have to trade her dignity or safety for survival,” she said.
Atoyebi stressed that while humanitarian aid remains essential, there is an urgent need for stronger investments in protection systems, education, economic empowerment, and community-based support.
“Supporting displaced persons must go beyond temporary relief. We need structures that protect women and children, expand access to education and livelihoods, and create opportunities for displaced families to rebuild their lives,” she added.
She further emphasized that addressing the root causes of displacement is equally important. According to her, promoting peace, strengthening community resilience, and tackling insecurity are necessary to reduce forced displacement across the country.
Atoyebi also underscored the transformative role of sports and community engagement in supporting displaced children and young people.
She explained that sports create safe spaces where children can rebuild confidence, improve emotional well-being, interact socially, and reconnect with peers and communities.
Through its interventions, FAME Foundation continues to support vulnerable communities by promoting protection, education, empowerment, inclusion, and opportunities for women, girls, and young people.
She called for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, civil society groups, humanitarian actors, and local communities to ensure displaced persons are not forgotten.
“As we mark World Refugee Day, we must remember that behind every tent, camp, and displacement figure is a human being whose future matters,” she said.
