Publication

For centuries, the practice of child soldiers by state-sanctioned entities, rebels, and terrorist groups has been in existence. However, in 1989, the United Nations (U.N.), under its Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), deemed individuals under 15 prohibited from recruitment to serve in armed combat or military units. Using the UN act as a foundation, the United States (U.S.) Congress also passed the Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA) in 2008 to eradicate child soldiers.



Over the years, the UN has identified several countries such as Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and Myanmar as active participants in violating the rights of children during their years of armed conflict.



The U.S. has now blacklisted Nigeria as a violator of the CSPA due to the Nigerian government's alleged participation in, or lackadaisical attitude towards the actions of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda operating with impunity within its borders. The blacklist went into effect on Oct. 1, 2026, the same day Nigeria celebrated its 66th Independence Day. 



The consequences of being blacklisted could be significant for Nigeria's national security, including the possibility of the U.S. government suspending weapons sales, intelligence sharing, military financing, and several other economic benefits.

“Governments identified on the list are subject to restrictions, in the following fiscal year, on certain security assistance and commercial licensing of military equipment.



The CSPA prohibits assistance to governments that are identified in the list under the following authorities: International Military Education and Training, Foreign Military Financing, Excess Defense Articles, and Peacekeeping Operations, with exceptions for some programs undertaken pursuant to the Peacekeeping Operations authority,” stated the U.S. State Department Report, according to Punch.



The damning report also identified Nigeria as a hub for sex trafficking and foreign criminal syndicates.



Despite Nigeria’s successful efforts to significantly increase funding for victim services and prevention, the Nigerian government should see this as a wake-up call. Unless the Nigerian borders are secured militarily and its national security greatly improves the lives of the citizenry, Nigeria could be at the precipice of becoming a failed state, and that is unacceptable.