In the bustling streets of Nairobi, 32-year-old Femi finds solace far from the chaos of his homeland, Nigeria.
A refugee for more than five years, he navigates life with resilience and adaptability, carving out a comfortable existence for himself and his family despite the challenges of displacement.
"Even though Kenya is expensive, I’d rather stay here," he says, reflecting on the security and opportunities Nairobi offers compared to his war-torn homeland.
Femi’s story is one of survival, loss, and a relentless pursuit of stability. Born and raised in a once-thriving community in Nigeria, Femi lost his father first to illness and, months later, his mother succumbed to grief and poor healthcare access while in Nigeria.
The sad thing is that he never got to attend both of his parent's burials.
Left orphaned alongside his six siblings, tragedy struck again when one of his brothers was killed during an inter-clan conflict that has become all too common in Nigeria.
The ongoing security issues in Nigeria have turned life into a constant battle for survival. Femi recalls his phone call with his brother just a day before.
"I could hear gunshots in the background. When I asked what was happening, he simply said, 'People are fighting.' That’s the reality we grew up with, and it hasn’t changed," he laments.
A Country in Crisis
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is plagued by multifaceted security challenges.
Insurgencies by groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the northeast have displaced millions.
In addition, banditry, kidnappings, and inter-clan conflicts driven by disputes over land, resources, and political dominance have turned large swathes of the country into unsafe zones.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as of 2023, over 3.2 million Nigerians are internally displaced, while over 343,000 Nigerian refugees have sought safety in neighbouring countries such as Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
Many, like Femi, venture further afield, seeking stability in countries as distant as Kenya.
The Journey to Kenya
Femi’s path to Nairobi was not a direct one. After fleeing Nigeria, he travelled through several countries, including Singapore, the United States, and Canada, seeking asylum.
However, lengthy bureaucratic processes and stringent immigration policies in these countries left him feeling unwelcome.
Eventually, he settled in Nairobi, where he has lived the longest since leaving Nigeria.
Kenya, despite its economic challenges, has become a haven for many refugees.
According to UNHCR, the country hosts over 600,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, primarily from Somalia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nigerians make up a smaller but growing portion of this population.
Femi’s entry into Kenya, like many others, was facilitated by connections within the refugee community and assistance from international organizations.
He now holds refugee documentation that allows him to stay in the country legally, though it comes with limitations.
Building a Life in Nairobi
Unlike many refugees who struggle to make ends meet, Femi has managed to build a relatively comfortable life.
Through foreign jobs like forex and cryptocurrency that pay him in dollars, he has been able to provide for his family of six, converting his earnings into Kenyan shillings to sustain their lavish lifestyle.
"I do online work and freelance projects for clients abroad. It’s the only way I can make enough to live well here," he explains.
Nairobi’s high cost of living is a challenge even for locals, but Femi appreciates the city's relative safety compared to Nigeria.
He rents a spacious apartment, ensures his younger siblings attend good schools and has even managed to save for emergencies.
Still, life as a refugee is not without its struggles.
Kenya’s laws restrict refugees from formal employment,
confining them to the informal sector.
Femi’s reliance on foreign income shields him from some of these challenges, but he remains acutely aware of the precarious nature of his status.
Kenya’s Refugee Policies
Kenya has long been a host to refugees, but the government’s approach to refugee management has evolved in recent years.
The enactment of the Refugees Act, 2021marked a significant shift, introducing measures aimed at integrating refugees into the local economy.
Under the act, refugees are allowed to work, access education, and contribute to national development.
However, implementation has been slow, and many refugees continue to face barriers to employment and social integration.
The government has also raised concerns about stateless people—individuals who lack legal recognition in any country.
Statelessness is a significant issue for refugees who have lost documentation or fled countries that refuse to acknowledge them. Kenya, in collaboration with international organizations, has pledged to address statelessness through registration drives and legal reforms.
While Nairobi offers Femi a sense of security, the city is far from perfect. Refugees often face discrimination, limited access to services, and a constant threat of police harassment.
For Femi, the biggest challenge is the uncertainty of his
future.
"I’ve built a life here, but I don’t know if it’s permanent. At any moment, policies could change, and I’d have to leave," he says.
The Global Refugee Crisis and Nigeria’s Role
Femi’s story is just one among millions. The global refugee crisis continues to grow, fueled by conflict, climate change, and political instability.
Nigeria’s inter-clan wars, resource disputes, and insurgencies are major contributors to this crisis.
Organizations like UNHCR and Amnesty International have repeatedly called for international intervention to address the root causes of displacement in Nigeria.
However, progress has been slow, and many Nigerians, like Femi, have no choice but to seek refuge elsewhere.
A Life of Resilience
Despite the challenges, Femi remains hopeful. He dreams of a peaceful Nigeria but is pragmatic about the present.
"I miss my home, but for now, this is home. I’ll continue to work hard and provide for my family. That’s all I can do," he says.
Femi’s journey highlights the resilience of refugees who, despite losing so much, manage to rebuild their lives in foreign lands.
His story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a call to action for governments and societies to create spaces where refugees can not only survive but thrive.
As Kenya navigates its role as a host country, stories like Femi’s remind us of the shared responsibility to ensure that refugees, stateless people, and all those displaced by conflict can find safety, dignity, and hope for a better future.
