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Title:

Socio-Economic Adaptation of Locally Integrated Refugees in Nigeria

Authors & Affiliation:

Ahmed O. Ogunwale, Ph.D.

Crescent University, Abeokuta, Nigeria

E-mail: asiwaju1@yahoo.co.uk

Tel: +234-8035385838

Abstract

Conflict, violence and political instability are prominent features in many parts of Africa. In most cases, the largely ethnic based conflicts have resulted in prolonged bloody civil wars which have produced a large number of refugees and displaced population. The civil war in Liberia that started in the early 1990s produced over 200,000 refugees some of whom were settled at Oru refugee camp in Ogun State, Nigeria. The Nigerian government was a major player in efforts to restore peace and stability to Liberia during the civil war that lasted for almost fifteen years. More than a decade since the war in Liberia has ended; some refugees feel they cannot return to their home country despite the formal closure of the camp in 2007. This study, through a field survey, employed questionnaire administration and focus group discussions (FGD) to investigate how the ‘left over’ refugees are coping with their new status in the absence of any formal assistance from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) after the cessation of the aid regime. The findings revealed that majority of refugees that opted for local integration remain in the camp, struggled to adjust and cope with their new status but are facing some inherent challenges due to poor standard of Nigerian economy. Assisted voluntary repatriation to home country is therefore recommended so that the erstwhile refugees could use the skills acquired to make a better living in their home country.

Keywords:

Socio-economic adaptation, refugees, local integration, repatriation, Oru, Nigeria.

URL:

https://www.ijedst.org/papers-published/ijedst-2018-volume-6-issue-4