The United States has placed Nigeria on its Child Soldiers Prevention Act blacklist, a move that could restrict military training, weapons sales and other security assistance from October 1, 2026, unless President Donald Trump grants a waiver. The decision was disclosed in the US State Department’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report published on October 11.
The report, covering April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, identified Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province as groups recruiting and using children in Nigeria. It said children as young as 12 were abducted or coerced into roles including combatants, spies, messengers and suicide bombers. Nigeria was among 14 countries on the blacklist, alongside Russia, Iran, Somalia and South Sudan.
Under the Child Soldiers Prevention Act, the designation could affect International Military Education and Training, Foreign Military Financing, Excess Defence Articles, certain peacekeeping assistance and licences for commercial military equipment sales. The restrictions apply unless a presidential waiver or another permitted exception is granted.
The report also said Nigeria had failed to meet minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking for the 15th consecutive year. It raised concerns about alleged official complicity, noting that the government reported no investigations, prosecutions or convictions of officials accused of involvement in trafficking crimes during the reporting period.
Nigerian authorities investigated 1,341 trafficking cases involving 1,367 suspects, but only 94 people were prosecuted and 97 traffickers convicted, according to the report. Although 2,004 victims were identified, just 675 received government-supported assistance, down from 2,058 in the previous reporting period. The report also criticised conditions in some shelters and gaps in support for victims who declined accommodation.
Other concerns included forced labour, fraudulent recruitment, baby factories and criminal networks exploiting people in Nigeria. The report alleged that Russian authorities fraudulently recruited Nigerians to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war and raised concerns about Nigeria’s Ministry of Education promoting Russia’s Alabuga Start programme despite warning signs.
Despite the criticisms, the US acknowledged increased Nigerian funding for victim services and prevention, the repatriation of 428 Nigerians exploited abroad, restitution for 14 victims and anti-trafficking task forces in 23 states. NAPTIP spokesperson Vincent Adekoye said the agency would publicly respond to the report, while the Presidency had not commented as of the time of publication.
