The United States has placed Nigeria on its Child Soldiers Prevention Act blacklist, a designation that could restrict certain military assistance and defense equipment sales unless President Donald Trump grants a waiver.
The designation was announced in the US State Department’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, published on October 11. The report attributed the listing to the continued recruitment and use of children by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
It also said Nigeria had failed to meet minimum standards for combating human trafficking for the fifteenth consecutive year.
According to the report, Nigerian authorities investigated one thousand, three hundred and forty-one trafficking cases, prosecuted ninety-four suspects and secured ninety-seven convictions. Although two thousand and four victims were identified, only six hundred and seventy-five received government-supported assistance.
The report also raised concerns about official complicity in trafficking and inadequate victim protection.
Despite the concerns, it acknowledged increased government spending on victim services and prevenion, as well as efforts to repatriate Nigerians exploited abroad.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons says it will make its response to the report public.
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