U.S. Report Flags Nigeria for Child Soldier Issues in 2026

The U.S. State Department's 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, covering 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, indicates that Nigeria may be sanctioned due to its inability to prevent child abductions and the continued use of minors by terrorist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Although there is no documented evidence of active recruitment of children by the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria's classification under the Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA) could lead to cuts in military training, weapons sales, and defense cooperation. The report retains Nigeria on the 'Tier 2 Watch List,' which includes countries not fully meeting the Trafficking Victims Protection Act minimum standards.

UNICEF has reported that non-state armed groups are using Nigerian children as combatants and committing grave violations against them. The ongoing insurgency has led to the targeting of children, who are often manipulated into joining armed groups due to poverty and lack of education.