The UNHCR reports that approximately 21,807 refugees and asylum seekers in Nigeria are unregistered, denying them access to essential services like food, healthcare, and financial aid. These individuals, mainly from Cameroon’s conflict-torn Anglophone region, are part of a larger population of 127,000 refugees and asylum seekers from 41 countries.
The registration backlog has fluctuated, peaking at 32,750 in June 2025 before dropping to 21,807 in November 2025. Staffing shortages, security restrictions, and logistical challenges in states like Borno, Adamawa, and Cross River have slowed the registration process.
Nigeria hosts 80,915 recognized refugees and over 25,000 asylum seekers awaiting processing. Unregistered refugees are ineligible for UNHCR-provided aid, leaving them struggling to meet basic needs.
