On Thursday 9th January 2025, the Board, Management and key members of the African Refugees
Foundation (AREF) held a high-level strategic meeting to brainstorm on the Foundation’s 3-year country
strategic plan, which also encapsulates proposed engagement in two African countries and with the
African Union, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation
for Migration, amongst others.

The strategic session took place at the Foundation’s Head Office in Suru-Lere, Lagos, Nigeria, and started
after opening remarks were given by the CEO, Jimi Olusola III. Thereafter, Adebayo Olowo-Ake, a
Trustee and Lead of the Technical Committee of the Foundation, presented the draft Country Strategic
Agenda for discussion and debate.

AREF, a continental INGO with Consultative Status with the UN, is re-strategizing based on its internal
assessment and trend analysis which identified some gaps in responses to the needs of Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs), Migrants, the Destitute and Refugees. The strategic session closely examined
the impact of violence and terrorism on Nigeria and on two adjacent countries, recognized the efforts of
the authorities, the humanitarian and development community and international organizations and
identified areas where AREF’s unique expertise can complement these efforts and add value by reducing
the gaps.

In determining its own response agenda, the session analyzed data provided by lead agencies in the
humanitarian space and by domestic authorities, including notable indices that affirmed the number of
displaced IDPs in Nigeria and adjacent countries, including specific data on what percentage live in
camps, camp-like settings and with host communities in order to benchmark these against planned
interventions. It also examined key aspects of the illegal migration problem and the impact of these on
the West African sub-region.

In reviewing the draft Country Strategic Agenda 2025-2027, participants resolved that working alone
and / or in concert with sector leaders and partners, AREF will advocate for the protection of refugees
and IDPs, support their welfare, ensure access to education and quality healthcare for refugees and
IDPS, enhance (in partnership with the sector leaders) relocation to third countries for refugees,
mobilise and raise awareness within the policy elite and stakeholders for a better treatment for

Refugees, IDPs, Migrants, etc. and campaign against illegal migration, while deploying impactful action
towards helping to reintegrate returning migrants into the society.

Concluding the brainstorm session, the meeting recognized that the Country Strategic Agenda 2025-27
forms the policy basis of AREF’s activities, providing clarity, focus and expected deliverables that will
contribute to mitigating the plight of IDPS, Migrants, the Destitute and Refugees by driving action within
Nigeria, the West African sub-region and across the African continent.