This paper examines displacement status and welfare of Bakassi settlers in
Cross River State against the backdrop of the 1980 UN policy on resettlement
programmes and its implications for resettlement planning as well as success of a
resettlement scheme. The study is predicated on the apriori that the state of Bakassi
settlers is akin to status depreciation, impoverishment, loss of sources of livelihood,
stigmatization, discrimination, inhuman treatment and infringement of fundamental
human rights. The issues discussed have wider applicability for resettlement
programmes not only in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole. In the light of these
observations, it is suggested among others that vigorous education campaigns should be
carried out among settlers and neigbouring communities around the resettlement area.
The campaigns should emphasize attitudinal change, accommodation, cooperation,
peace and unity amongst the settlers and the neigbouring communities. Efforts should
also be made through workshops, seminars, and conferences to bring about this
awareness. The study also suggests that government should take a strategic sustainable
development approach to address the challenges confronting displaced persons,
including economic empowerment, provision of employment opportunities,
infrastructural development and ensure functional participation of settlers in the
decision making framework, planning and operations of the resettlement.