Lenshie, Miapyen, Idris, et al ‘Cameroonian Political Conflict, Displacement, and Refugee Women’s Struggle in the Informal Economy in Nigeria’, 2025

Lenshie, N.E., Miapyen, B.S., Idris, A. et al. Cameroonian Political Conflict, Displacement, and Refugee Women’s Struggle in the Informal Economy in Nigeria. Soc (2025).

Abstract

Previous research on the political conflict in Cameroon has discussed its historical origins, incidents of state violence, movements for separatism, and the resulting forced displacements. Academic studies tend to underrepresent the lived experiences of Cameroonian refugee women in the informal economy of their host communities, particularly their limited access to social safety nets and survival skills. This study leverages the gap to investigate the Cameroonian refugee women encounter in Nigeria’s informal economy. A mixed data collection method and qualitative descriptive method of data analysis were adopted. The livelihood theoretical approach is used in the study to emphasize the resilient and adaptable nature of Cameroonian refugee women who seek employment in the unorganized sector in spite of systemic limitations. Strong political will is needed to review and execute Nigeria’s refugee and social safety net policies in order to preserve Cameroonian refugee women’s survival flair and potentials.