PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL NEEDS FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPs) IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated how best to provide educational needs for the children of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State, Nigeria. The study adopted qualitative research design. The researchers used secondary data collected by other researchers. Thematic method was used for data analysis to answer research questions. The study found that IDPs is a global phenomenon that is found in many countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Sahel region, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Nigeria, especially in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe in the North-East, and Benue State in the North-Central region. The investigation further revealed that the main cause of the IDPs is due to displacement of people from their habitual homes because of wars, conflicts, emergencies, natural and human-made disasters. The investigation also showed that in Benue State, the main cause of displacement is herders – farmers conflict which has displaced thousands of people from their ancestral homes. Thus providing quality education for the children of the IDPs in Benue State has become increasingly difficult. Nonetheless, the investigation found that providing educational needs for the IDPs’ children in Benue State is the best option. These include: security, water, shelter, electricity, standard schools, standard infrastructures, and facilities amongst others.