In an increasingly connected world, access to the internet is no longer a luxury. It is a lifeline. Yet for millions of displaced people across the globe especially in Nigeria, digital connectivity remains out of reach. From refugee camps to informal settlements, the inability to access mobile data or even basic internet services has created a silent but deeply damaging crisis: digital exclusion.
As someone who has worked at the intersection of technology and advocacy, I have seen how connectivity can open doors to education, healthcare, livelihoods, and protection. But for displaced individuals, particularly those in remote or under-resourced areas, that door often remains firmly shut.
In 2023, while consulting on a digital education initiative targeting underserved youth in West Africa, I came across stories that continue to haunt me. One young man, a refugee from northern Nigeria (Borno State specifically), had been out of formal education for three years. Despite being eager to join an online learning program, he could not afford the daily cost of mobile data. His entire future was stalled, not by lack of ambition, but by the absence of a stable internet connection.
This is not an isolated case. Across many refugee-hosting countries, access to reliable and affordable connectivity is inconsistent at best and completely absent at worst. In some camps, restrictions on SIM card registration for non-citizens further limit refugees’ ability to communicate, learn, and advocate for themselves. For women and girls, the situation is even worse, digital exclusion deepens existing gender inequalities, leaving them without access to vital information or support networks.
The consequences of digital exclusion are far-reaching. Without access to information, displaced people struggle to understand their legal rights, apply for asylum, or locate services. Without digital tools, refugee-led initiatives are stifled before they can take shape. In emergencies, when time is of the essence, a lack of connectivity can mean the difference between safety and danger.
We must recognize internet access as a basic right, not a privilege. Humanitarian actors, donors, and host governments need to take urgent steps to close the digital divide. This includes:
- Subsidizing mobile data and device access for displaced populations, especially in regions with ongoing displacement crises.
- Reforming regulatory barriers that prevent refugees from registering SIM cards or accessing digital ID systems.
- Investing in community Wi-Fi networks managed by refugee-led groups to support digital inclusion from the ground up.
- Embedding digital literacy training into humanitarian programming, with a focus on women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Connectivity alone will not solve the many challenges displaced people face. But without it, meaningful participation in the digital age remains impossible. If we are serious about inclusion and equity, we must ensure that refugees and other forcibly displaced individuals are not left behind in the digital future.
Their voices matter. Their access matters. The time to act is now.