The Cross River State Government has taken a major step towards strengthening refugee protection and socio-economic inclusion with the formal signing of an agreement for the donation of 1,000 hectares of land by the Oban Community for refugee livelihood and agricultural activities in the state.
The agreement was officially signed on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, by the Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Mr. Efa Nyong, marking a significant milestone in the State's commitment to promoting durable solutions for forcibly displaced persons.
The initiative, expected to provide refugees with access to productive agricultural land will enable them to become self-reliant, improve their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of their host communities.
Speaking during the signing meeting, the representative of the Head of the UNHCR Ogoja Sub Office, Mr. Alpha Oumar Barry commended the Cross River State Government and the Director General of CR-SEMA for their commitment to refugee inclusion and sustainable development.
He described access to land as one of the most important pathways to refugee self-reliance, noting that the initiative would significantly reduce humanitarian dependency while promoting dignity, productivity and peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities.
Mr. Effiong further stated that the agreement reflects the strong partnership between UNHCR, the Cross River State Government and the Oban Community in advancing long-term solutions that benefit both refugees and their host communities.
In his remarks, the Director General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, reaffirmed the commitment of the Cross River State Government, under the leadership of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu, to protecting refugees and promoting their inclusion in the State's development agenda.
Mr. Nyong noted that empowering refugees through sustainable livelihood opportunities aligns with the Government's vision of building resilient communities where everyone has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society.
He emphasized that the State Government would continue to work closely with UNHCR and other development partners to ensure refugees are fully integrated into development programmes while fostering peaceful coexistence, food security and shared prosperity with host communities.
By David Asu
