Benin City / Edo State — The Home for the Needy IDP Camp in Edo has become a beacon of hope for survivors of terrorism, transforming displaced persons into degree-holders through education and support.
Children and young adults who fled violence have been enrolled in formal school and tertiary institutions, with many now completing or nearing completion of degree programmes. The initiative is powered by private actors collaborating with civil society, offering scholarships, mentoring, and basic subsistence support to enable learning.
Camp officials say that survivors face not just the trauma of displacement but also economic and social disruption, which makes access to education difficult. To counter these challenges, the camp offers remedial classes, digital learning tools, and logistical assistance—such as transportation and school supplies—to help students catch up.
A number of beneficiaries speak of remarkable improvement and renewed purpose. Some narrate how they’ve gone from living in makeshift shelters with limited study space to attending lectures at universities and colleges, meeting lectures, writing exams, and building professional aspirations.
Leaders of the humanitarian programme involved say that this model could be replicated in other conflict-affected areas, calling on government and donors to provide more funding to ensure sustainability and expansion of the scheme
