THE DISPROPORTIONATE EFFECT OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT ON THE NIGERIAN CHILD: A LEGAL VIEW

Abstract

Many children have been displaced in Nigeria either by armed violence, insurgency, communal clashes, inter-ethnic conflicts and natural disasters. There is no child more vulnerable today than a child internally displaced as they are forced to leave their homes and communities behind. As the children run for safety, they further experience discrimination while trying to survive. The effect of this can be extremely devastating and traumatizing on a growing child who may likely be displaced all through childhood with no hope of a home. This paper discusses children internally displaced in Nigeria and how it affects them disproportionately. The Paper employs doctrinal methodology with analytical approach using statutes, case laws, conventions, textbooks, journal articles, Internet sources and reports of various authors on the subject. It further employs analysis as a tool to assess the legal protection available to internally displaced children in Nigeria and the limitations to their protection. It was found that despite the vulnerability and the disproportionate negative effect of internal displacement on children, Nigeria has not taken adequate steps to combat the situation. It is recommended that all concerned institutions and relevant stakeholders be alert to their duties concerning the issue.