Navigating uncertainty: a phenomenological exploration of the lived experiences of internally displaced women and older adults in Nigeria

Wakawa Zanna, Jamila Musa ORCID: 0000-0002-1643-1548 (2025). Navigating uncertainty: a phenomenological exploration of the lived experiences of internally displaced women and older adults in Nigeria. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

In the latest assessment conducted during Round 43 of the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), it was determined that Nigeria has approximately 2,375,661 IDPs. Among them, 24% are women, 19% are men, 31% are girls, and 26% are boys. The assessment further reveals that over 960,000 IDPs are residing in camp-like settings, while more than 1.4 million are living in host communities (DTM of IOM, 2023).

This research employs a phenomenological approach situated within the interpretivist paradigm to explore the lived experiences of women displaced by conflict and natural disasters. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews (n=32) and focus group discussions (n=4) involving 61 internally displaced women and older adults in four host communities in Abuja, Northcentral Nigeria, the study aims to unravel the complex layers of how displaced individuals cope, survive, and aspire for a better future. The investigation delves into their community roles, identities, and the psychosocial support they receive.

Utilising a thematic analysis enriched by theoretical frameworks encompassing concepts of structural violence, intersectionality, urban and feminist geographies, social determinants of health, and basic needs approaches, the study interprets the collected data. It examines human agency and coping mechanisms in informal settlements, discussing durable solutions to enhance the quality of life for displaced individuals. The findings portray a distressing scenario of living in precarious conditions, marked by gender-based violence against women and their families, intensified by insecurity, suffering, and the relentless struggle for survival. Despite mirroring the experiences of internally displaced women globally, the weakened socio-political system in Nigeria and inadequate governmental support compounds their plight.

However, the research refrains from portraying these internally displaced women and older adults as helpless victims, emphasising their strength and agency as architects of their new lives. The study highlights their commitment and determined efforts to ensure the survival of their families and communities, shedding light on their negotiation processes with both human and supernatural forces. Their cultural, religious, and spiritual knowledge emerges as a powerful tool for coping, providing a framework for interpreting and overcoming everyday challenges.

Effective solutions, however, demand renewed political will to address widespread poverty, social inequities, and gender inequality. This necessitates creating an enabling environment with proper infrastructure for economic growth, equal educational and economic opportunities for both genders, and a cultural shift towards recognising and appreciating the contributions of men and women in family, community, and nation-building.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):

Supervisor(s)	Email	ORCID
Dhesi, Surindar	UNSPECIFIED	orcid.org/0000-0002-0576-6764
Kuznetsova, Irina	UNSPECIFIED	orcid.org/0000-0002-1553-7746
Sugden, Fraser	UNSPECIFIED	orcid.org/0000-0002-7559-4486