THE DILEMMA OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPs): BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THEORY AND REALITY

Internal displacement remains a critical humanitarian and ethical issue, especially in Nigeria, where it is driven by entrenched socio-political dynamics. While existing literature highlights legal and policy frameworks, these often overlook the lived, context-specific realities of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Africa. A persistent gap exists between theoretical models and local experiences. This study addresses this disconnect by foregrounding the complex realities of displacement in Nigeria. The research employs a contextually grounded, mixed-methods approach. It combines a comprehensive review of relevant literature and policy documents with fieldwork conducted in Abuja, Nigeria. Data includes in-depth interviews with IDPs and key stakeholders, enabling a robust analysis of both theoretical assumptions and on-the-ground conditions. Engaging critically with legal and humanitarian paradigms, the study challenges dominant frameworks that universalize displacement. It argues for an epistemic shift toward context-sensitive models that reflect the cultural and socio-political particularities of Nigerian IDPs. Findings reveal significant shortcomings, despite the presence of international conventions and national policies, IDPs continue to face structural marginalization, inadequate access to resources, and poor coordination among humanitarian actors. Interview data illustrate a pronounced misalignment between policy intentions and the lived experiences of displaced persons, particularly in terms of agency, representation, and adaptive capacity. The research concludes that current protection frameworks inadequately address the realities of Nigerian IDPs. A fundamental rethinking of displacement response is required, one that centres on local knowledge and conditions. This study bridges the theory-practice divide and advances a more grounded framework for humanitarian action. Its focus on local voices marks a shift from abstraction to practical relevance. The study advocates for adaptive, locally-informed strategies that prioritize agency, resource flexibility, and cross-sectoral coordination in addressing internal displacement.