US Blacklists Nigeria Over Child Soldiers, Threatens Restrictions on Military Support

The United States has placed Nigeria on its Child Soldiers Prevention Act blacklist, a move that could trigger restrictions on certain forms of American military assistance, weapons sales and defence cooperation unless an applicable waiver or exception is granted.

The development follows allegations in the US Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report that terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), continue to recruit, abduct and use children in armed conflict in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

The report, published in October 2026, also raised concerns about Nigeria’s efforts to combat human trafficking, including the prosecution of officials allegedly complicit in trafficking offences and the provision of assistance to victims.

The designation comes at a time when Nigeria continues to rely on international cooperation to confront terrorism, insurgency and other security threats. It therefore raises important questions about the future of US-Nigeria defence relations and the protection of children affected by armed conflict.

Why the United States Blacklisted Nigeria

According to the US State Department’s report, Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to recruit and use children, including those as young as 12, for activities associated with their operations.

The report identified roles such as carrying messages, cooking, spying, transporting supplies, guarding checkpoints and participating directly in armed attacks. It also documented allegations of abduction, forced labour, sexual abuse and the use of children in suicide bombings.

Children recruited by armed groups are particularly vulnerable because they may be coerced, deceived, abducted or forced to participate in activities they do not understand or cannot safely refuse.

The designation under the Child Soldiers Prevention Act is intended to place pressure on governments to address the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.

However, the listing should not be interpreted as proof that the Nigerian government itself officially recruits child soldiers. The report identifies non-state armed groups as responsible for the child recruitment described in its assessment, while separately raising concerns about broader trafficking-related failures and alleged official complicity.

Military Assistance Could Face Restrictions

The designation could affect several categories of US security assistance to Nigeria.

Under the Child Soldiers Prevention Act, restrictions may apply to International Military Education and Training programmes, Foreign Military Financing, certain excess defence articles, specified peacekeeping assistance and licences for direct commercial sales of military equipment.

The report states that the restrictions took effect from October 1, 2026, for the relevant fiscal year, subject to a presidential waiver, applicable exceptions or other provisions permitted by law.

The practical consequences will depend on which programmes are covered, whether any waivers are issued and how the relevant US authorities implement the restrictions.

It is therefore important to distinguish between the potential restrictions under the law and a confirmed, comprehensive suspension of all US military support to Nigeria. The designation does not automatically mean that every form of defence cooperation between the two countries will end.

Implications for Nigeria’s Fight Against Terrorism

Nigeria has spent years combating Boko Haram and ISWAP, particularly in the North-East, where insurgent violence has caused widespread deaths, displacement and destruction.

Cooperation with international partners has been important in areas such as intelligence sharing, military training, counterterrorism operations and the development of security capabilities.

Any restrictions affecting eligible military assistance could complicate some aspects of that cooperation, depending on the programmes involved.

However, the extent of the impact cannot be determined from the designation alone. It will depend on the nature of the assistance affected, the availability of exceptions and the continuation of other bilateral security arrangements.

For Nigeria, the development reinforces the importance of addressing the recruitment of children by armed groups, strengthening protection for vulnerable communities and demonstrating measurable progress in preventing trafficking and prosecuting offenders.

US Report Raises Broader Human Trafficking Concerns

Beyond the child-soldier designation, the State Department’s 2026 report criticised Nigeria’s performance in combating human trafficking.

According to the report, Nigeria did not meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking for the 15th consecutive year, although it acknowledged efforts by the government in some areas.

The report also highlighted a decline in the number of trafficking victims who received government assistance, from 2,058 in the preceding reporting period to 675 in the period under review.

It further expressed concern that the government had not reported investigations, prosecutions or convictions of government employees allegedly complicit in trafficking crimes during the period covered.

These findings raise questions about the effectiveness of victim protection, accountability and enforcement measures.

Nevertheless, allegations involving individual officials must be distinguished from proven criminal conduct. The absence of reported prosecutions does not, by itself, establish that every allegation of official complicity is true.

Concerns About the Treatment of Trafficking Victims

The report also criticised aspects of the support provided to trafficking survivors, including conditions in shelters managed by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Among the concerns were restrictions on residents’ freedom of movement and the effect of shelter policies on children’s access to education.

The report also raised questions about the availability of suitable services for adult victims who declined shelter accommodation, including male survivors.

Effective anti-trafficking policies must combine law enforcement with appropriate protection and rehabilitation. Survivors need access to safe accommodation, healthcare, education, counselling and other support without unnecessary barriers.

Children rescued from armed groups also require specialised assistance because of the physical and psychological harm associated with forced recruitment, exploitation and exposure to violence.

What Nigeria Needs to Do

The designation places renewed emphasis on the need for stronger measures to prevent the recruitment and exploitation of children.

First, security agencies must strengthen efforts to identify and rescue children recruited by armed groups and ensure that recovered children receive appropriate protection and rehabilitation.

Second, authorities should investigate credible allegations of trafficking and prosecute individuals where sufficient evidence establishes criminal responsibility, regardless of their position or influence.

Third, Nigeria must improve support for survivors by expanding access to safe shelters, education, healthcare and reintegration programmes.

Finally, the government should maintain constructive engagement with international partners to clarify the implications of the designation, address documented concerns and preserve lawful cooperation against terrorism.

These measures would help protect vulnerable children while strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s anti-trafficking and security institutions.

The United States’ decision to place Nigeria on its Child Soldiers Prevention Act blacklist represents a significant development in relations between the two countries.

The designation could restrict certain forms of military assistance and defence-related sales, subject to applicable waivers and exceptions. It also reflects serious concerns about the continued recruitment and use of children by Boko Haram and ISWAP, alongside wider weaknesses identified in Nigeria’s response to human trafficking.

For Nigeria, the immediate priorities are to protect children, strengthen accountability, improve services for trafficking survivors and work with international partners to address the concerns outlined in the report.

Ultimately, the issue extends beyond diplomatic relations or military assistance. Preventing children from being recruited, abused or exploited must remain a central responsibility of the Nigerian state and the wider international community.

By Joseph Iyaji

Akahi News