The United States government has raised serious concerns about Nigeria’s efforts to combat human trafficking, citing alleged official complicity, inadequate protection for victims and the continued recruitment of children by armed groups.
The concerns were contained in the US Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, which assessed developments between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. The report retained Nigeria on Tier 2, indicating that the country does not fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking but is making significant efforts to address the problem.
Nigeria was also included among 14 countries on the Child Soldiers Prevention Act list, alongside countries such as Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Russia and Somalia.
According to the report, the designation could affect certain forms of US military assistance, including military training, financing and defence equipment transfers, from October 1, 2026, unless a presidential waiver applies. The listing does not mean that the report attributes all child recruitment in Nigeria to government forces.
US raises concerns over alleged official involvement
The report identified corruption and alleged complicity by public officials as significant obstacles to tackling trafficking crimes.
It criticised the Nigerian government for failing to report investigations, prosecutions or convictions involving government employees allegedly implicated in trafficking during the period under review. It also raised concerns about the treatment of victims, including women and girls subjected to forced marriages involving Boko Haram fighters.
The assessment further noted that 675 trafficking victims received assistance in 2025, compared with 2,058 in the previous year, while specialised support services for male victims remained limited.
Child recruitment and exploitation
The US report alleged that Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province continued to recruit, abduct and exploit children as young as 12.
The children were reportedly used in various roles, including as messengers, cooks, domestic workers, spies, guards, armed combatants and suicide bombers.
The report also highlighted gaps in labour protection, including concerns about fraudulent recruitment practices, child labour and inadequate specialised training for labour inspectors.
Baby factories and forced labour
Another major concern was the continued operation of illegal facilities commonly known as baby factories.
According to the report, criminal operators often disguise these facilities as orphanages, maternity homes or religious centres, where women are allegedly detained, sexually assaulted and forced to become pregnant. The children are subsequently sold, sometimes for further exploitation.
The report described the practice as a widespread criminal industry, particularly in southern Nigeria.
It also identified other forms of exploitation, including forced labour in mining, quarrying, agriculture, domestic service, street vending and begging.
Nigeria records progress in prosecutions
Despite its criticisms, the report acknowledged improvements in Nigeria’s anti-trafficking enforcement efforts.
It stated that Nigerian authorities investigated 1,341 trafficking cases involving 1,367 suspects in 2025, prosecuted 94 suspects and secured 97 convictions. These figures represented an increase from 744 investigations, 71 prosecutions and 49 convictions recorded in 2024.
The report also noted increased government funding for victim support and prevention programmes, alongside cooperation with foreign governments and international law enforcement agencies.
Nigeria’s latest assessment therefore presents a mixed picture: increased investigations and convictions, alongside continuing concerns about accountability, victim protection and the recruitment and exploitation of children.
The findings are likely to renew calls for stronger enforcement, greater accountability for public officials implicated in trafficking and improved protection for vulnerable women and children.
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