The United States has placed Nigeria on its Child Soldiers Prevention Act blacklist, potentially exposing the country to restrictions on military assistance, weapons sales and defence cooperation beginning October 1, 2026, unless President Donald Trump grants a waiver.
The designation was disclosed in the US Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, which identified Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) as armed groups that continue to recruit, abduct and use children in Nigeria. Published on October 11, the report assessed the country’s efforts to combat human trafficking between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
Nigeria was among 14 countries identified under the Child Soldiers Prevention Act, alongside Russia, Iran, Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The report also highlighted concerns about official corruption, the handling of trafficking-related crimes and the protection available to victims.
Under US law, countries on the blacklist may face restrictions on certain security assistance programmes and licences for the commercial sale of military equipment. The affected areas include International Military Education and Training, Foreign Military Financing, Excess Defence Articles and some forms of peacekeeping assistance.
The report explained that the restrictions would begin on October 1, 2026, subject to a presidential waiver, an applicable exception or the reinstatement of assistance under the law. It stated, “Governments identified on the list are subject to restrictions, in the following fiscal year, on certain security assistance and commercial licensing of military equipment.”
The legislation also prohibits licences for direct commercial sales of military equipment to governments on the list, although exceptions may be permitted under specified circumstances.
Nigeria-US Defence Ties Face Possible Disruption
Nigeria’s designation comes as the country and the United States continue to cooperate on counterterrorism and other security challenges. Restrictions on military support could introduce complications into their defence relationship, depending on the programmes affected and whether the US president approves an exemption.
Boko Haram, ISWAP Accused of Using Children in Combat
The report identified Boko Haram and ISWAP as groups recruiting children for various activities linked to their armed operations. According to the document, children as young as 12 have been forced to undertake duties ranging from cooking and domestic work to spying, carrying messages, guarding checkpoints and participating in combat.
The report stated, “Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa continue recruiting, abducting, and using—including through force, fraud, and coercion—child soldiers as young as 12 years old as cooks, domestic workers, spies, porters, messengers, bodyguards or guards at checkpoints, ‘morality police,’ armed combatants, and suicide bombers in attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger; these children are subjected to physical and sexual abuse and forced drug use.”
Women and girls abducted by the armed groups were also identified as victims of continuing abuses. The report said many were subjected to forced labour, forced marriage and sexual slavery. It further alleged that some girls who refused to marry members of the groups were punished by being forced to carry out suicide attacks.
The treatment of victims following their release from captivity was another issue raised in the report. It alleged that, in some cases, government authorities used demobilisation centres in Borno State to compel victims of forced marriage to return to their Boko Haram husbands.
Criminal Gangs Exploit Children and Vulnerable People
Beyond insurgency-related abuses, the assessment identified criminal gangs involved in the exploitation of children and other vulnerable people. In southern Nigeria, some gangs reportedly recruit children for criminal activities, including kidnapping and robbery, while also exploiting victims through sex trafficking.
In the northwest, criminal networks were reported to exploit victims for forced labour in agricultural and mining activities.
Nigeria Falls Short of US Anti-Trafficking Standards
The report also assessed Nigeria’s broader efforts to eliminate human trafficking, stating that the country had failed to meet the US government’s minimum standards for the 15th consecutive year. However, it acknowledged that Nigerian authorities had undertaken some measures to address the problem.
One of the principal concerns was the absence of reported investigations, prosecutions or convictions involving government employees allegedly complicit in trafficking crimes. The report stated, “The government did not report any investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of government employees allegedly complicit in trafficking crimes or provide details or other actions taken against complicit officials from previous years.”
It added that “corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes remained significant concerns.”
The report further stated that “observers reported some law enforcement, military, and other government officials reportedly committed trafficking crimes, accepted bribes to facilitate trafficking, or obstructed justice by interfering with investigations.”
These findings highlighted concerns about the handling of trafficking allegations involving public officials and the enforcement of existing laws against the crime.
1,341 Trafficking Cases Investigated
During the reporting period, Nigerian authorities investigated 1,341 human trafficking cases involving 1,367 suspects. The cases comprised 589 investigations into sex trafficking, 301 involving forced labour and 451 that were not classified by specific category.
Despite the number of investigations, the report recorded 94 prosecutions and 97 convictions during the period. It noted that most convicted traffickers received prison sentences of at least one year.
The assessment also acknowledged increased cooperation between Nigerian authorities and foreign governments in investigating international trafficking cases. Such collaboration reportedly supported operations across West Africa and Southeast Asia, including those conducted in partnership with INTERPOL.
Government Assistance to Trafficking Victims Declines
Authorities identified 2,004 trafficking victims during the reporting period. Of this number, 893 were victims of sex trafficking, while 1,111 had experienced forced labour.
However, government-supported assistance reached only 675 victims, compared with 2,058 in the preceding year.
The report also raised concerns about conditions in shelters managed by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). It said the agency’s closed-shelter policy restricted residents’ freedom of movement and affected children’s access to education.
According to the document, “residents were not allowed freedom of movement, including children’s access to school.”
It also noted that “access to some protection services was tied to victims’ willingness to cooperate with law enforcement proceedings.”
The report said adult victims who declined accommodation in shelters were not offered alternative services. It further observed that only one dedicated non-governmental organisation shelter was available for adult male trafficking survivors.
The findings indicated that some victims faced difficulties accessing protection services, particularly when they were unwilling or unable to cooperate with criminal proceedings against suspected traffickers.
Anti-Trafficking Spending Increases Despite Gaps
Despite these concerns, the US report acknowledged an increase in Nigerian government expenditure on anti-trafficking activities. Funding for victim services rose from N128 million to N233 million, while spending on prevention programmes increased from N58.8 million to N245 million.
The government also coordinated the repatriation of 428 Nigerians who had been exploited abroad, secured restitution for 14 victims as part of criminal sentences and maintained anti-trafficking task forces in 23 states.
However, the report identified shortcomings in labour protection and the regulation of recruitment practices. It said the government had not prohibited worker-paid recruitment fees, reported holding labour recruiters accountable for fraudulent recruitment through civil and criminal proceedings, or provided labour inspectors with specialised training on child labour and human trafficking.
The assessment also stated that Nigerian diplomatic personnel had not received anti-trafficking training from the government.
Report Raises Alarm Over Foreign Criminal Networks
Another concern involved foreign criminal networks allegedly operating in Nigeria and recruiting people under false pretences for organised online fraud. The report stated that “highly organised foreign criminal syndicates fraudulently recruit foreigners to Nigeria with promises of employment, confine them in leased properties and compel them to participate in organised online scams.”
The document also alleged that Russian authorities fraudulently recruited Nigerians to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. It further claimed that Nigeria’s Ministry of Education helped promote Russia’s Alabuga Start programme despite warning signs.
Possible forced labour involving North Korean nationals working in Nigeria was another issue identified in the report.
Baby Factories Remain a Trafficking Concern
The assessment also highlighted the continued operation of so-called baby factories, which are criminal enterprises operating under the appearance of orphanages, maternity homes or religious centres. According to the report, women held in these facilities are sometimes sexually abused and forced to give birth to children who are subsequently sold.
The document described these establishments as a documented aspect of Nigeria’s human trafficking problem, particularly in the southern part of the country.
Nigeria’s Trafficking Ranking Has Fluctuated
The US government identified Nigeria as a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking. The country’s ranking in the annual TIP Report has varied over the years, with Nigeria previously placed in Tier 1, Tier 2 and the Tier 2 Watch List. Its last Tier 1 ranking was in 2011.
Although the CSPA designation is separate from Nigeria’s overall trafficking ranking, both assessments address concerns about efforts to prevent exploitation and protect vulnerable people.
NAPTIP Promises Response as Presidency Remains Silent
When contacted for comments, NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, said the agency would make its response to the report public.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, did not respond to telephone calls or a text message seeking the Presidency’s reaction to the development.
Restrictions Could Take Effect in October 2026
The consequences of Nigeria’s inclusion on the blacklist will depend partly on the restrictions imposed and whether the US administration grants a waiver.
Without an applicable exemption, Nigeria could face limitations on certain military training programmes, defence financing arrangements, equipment transfers and commercial military sales from October 1, 2026.
