Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has stressed that Nigeria’s persistent insecurity crisis demands immediate and comprehensive action involving the government, humanitarian groups, and international partners to significantly reduce its impact.

Speaking in Kaduna on Friday as Chairman of the 10th House of Justice Summit, Osinbajo said the country must adopt a broad strategy that covers emergency relief, rehabilitation, reintegration, and long-term solutions for people affected by insecurity.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ade Ipaye, he noted that existing government efforts to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain inadequate, as available camps and facilities are overstretched and unable to meet the needs of the growing population, including children and persons with disabilities.

Osinbajo observed that since insurgency and widespread insecurity escalated in 2009, millions of Nigerians have been forced to abandon their homes, families, and communities, often leaving behind hard-earned property and falling into severe poverty and hardship.

He described the displacement experience as deeply traumatic, frequently resulting in family separation and the disappearance of loved ones who are never reunited.

He highlighted that the humanitarian crisis—fueled by Boko Haram attacks, communal conflicts, and natural disasters—has continued to worsen, leading to a sharp rise in Nigeria’s IDP population. He added that the demographics are particularly troubling.

Citing data from the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), Osinbajo said Nigeria has more than 3.4 million internally displaced persons as of the end of 2024, although figures from the National Bureau of Statistics are about half that estimate. Most of the displaced individuals, he noted, are women and children.

He lamented the rising levels of malnutrition and health challenges across IDP communities, stating that overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions expose many to disease. According to him, displaced persons also suffer limited access to food, shelter, education, and security. The fact that many young children remain out of school, he warned, means the crisis could have long-term consequences for future generations.

Osinbajo further explained that he strongly aligns with the mission of the House of Justice, describing it as a multi-door justice organization that uses law as a tool for promoting social justice.

He recalled that this approach was central to the justice sector reforms undertaken in Lagos State during his tenure as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice from 1999 to 2007. According to him, the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse and other citizen-focused initiatives such as the Office of the Public Defender and the Citizens Mediation Centre formed the backbone of efforts to expand access to justice—ideas that have now gained national acceptance.

Commending the House of Justice for sustaining its annual summit for a decade, Osinbajo said the platform has remained a vital forum for examining major justice-related challenges in Nigeria and Africa. He praised the organization for consistently bringing together stakeholders who propose practical recommendations for governments, institutions, communities, and citizens, noting that the summit continues to inspire positive change both within the country and beyond.