US May Suspend Military Assistance to Nigeria Over Child Recruitment Allegations

Nigeria could lose some military assistance from the United States following its inclusion on a list of countries accused of recruiting and using children in armed conflicts.

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The designation was contained in the US Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, released on October 11, which cited the continued recruitment and use of children by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The report assessed Nigeria’s efforts between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Nigeria was placed on the Child Soldiers Prevention Act blacklist alongside 13 other countries, including Russia, Iran, Somalia and South Sudan.

Under the US law, the listing could lead to restrictions on military training, foreign military financing, the supply of surplus defence equipment and certain peacekeeping assistance. It could also affect commercial licences for military equipment sales to Nigeria, unless President Donald Trump grants a waiver or an applicable exemption is obtained.

The development comes amid ongoing security cooperation between Abuja and Washington, including joint operations against insurgents and efforts to implement a bilateral defence roadmap.

Beyond the child recruitment allegations, the report criticised Nigeria’s broader efforts to combat human trafficking, noting that the country had failed to meet the minimum standards for eliminating the crime for 15 consecutive years.

According to the report, Boko Haram and ISWAP continued to abduct and recruit children, some as young as 12, for combat, intelligence gathering, carrying messages and guarding checkpoints. The groups were also accused of forcing children to carry out suicide attacks and subjecting them to physical abuse, sexual exploitation and drug use.

The report further raised concerns over the alleged involvement of public officials in trafficking-related crimes. It stated that the Nigerian government did not report any investigation, prosecution or conviction of government personnel suspected of complicity in such offences, while some officials were allegedly involved in facilitating trafficking, receiving bribes or obstructing investigations.

Although Nigerian authorities investigated 1,341 trafficking cases involving 1,367 suspects during the period under review, the report recorded 94 prosecutions and 97 convictions. It also said 2,004 victims were identified, but only 675 received government-funded support, down from 2,058 in the previous reporting period.

Despite the criticism, the US acknowledged increased Nigerian government spending on victim assistance and prevention, as well as efforts to repatriate citizens exploited overseas.

The Head of Press and Public Relations at the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Vincent Adekoye, said the agency would issue a public response to the findings.

However, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, did not respond to calls and a text message seeking the Presidency’s reaction.