Human Trafficking: US Report Exposes Nigeria’s Accountability Gap Despite Rising Convictions

Human Trafficking: US Report Exposes Nigeria’s Accountability Gap Despite Rising Convictions

Nigeria Standard Magazine | National News

 

Nigeria’s fight against human trafficking has recorded measurable progress in investigations and convictions, but a new United States assessment has raised concerns about official accountability, declining victim assistance and the continued exploitation of children. The findings present a challenge for authorities to strengthen enforcement, protect survivors and ensure that allegations involving public officials are properly investigated.

 

The concerns are contained in the 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report released by the US Department of State. Covering April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, the report retained Nigeria on Tier 2, meaning the country does not fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking but is making significant efforts towards compliance. <Cite refs={[“turn691850search0”]}/>

 

Official accountability under scrutiny

 

One of the most significant issues raised in the assessment is the alleged failure to demonstrate accountability for government employees suspected of involvement in trafficking-related offences. According to the report, Nigerian authorities did not provide information on investigations, prosecutions or convictions of allegedly complicit government employees during the reporting period, including details of actions taken in earlier cases.

 

The finding highlights the importance of transparent investigations and credible enforcement, particularly where allegations involve people entrusted with public responsibilities. Addressing such concerns would require authorities to demonstrate that credible allegations are investigated and that anyone found guilty faces the consequences prescribed by law.

 

Child soldiers and the threat to vulnerable children

 

The United States also included Nigeria on its Child Soldiers Prevention Act list alongside 13 other countries. The report identified Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) as groups recruiting, abducting and using children, including those as young as 12, in various roles ranging from armed combat to spying, carrying supplies and guarding checkpoints.

 

The report said the listing could trigger restrictions on certain categories of US military assistance, including foreign military financing, international military education and training, and some military equipment sales, unless a presidential waiver applies. The implications make continued cooperation against insurgency and the protection of children important considerations for both countries. <Cite refs={[“turn691850search0″,”turn691850search3”]}/>

 

Baby factories and forced labour remain major concerns

 

The assessment also drew attention to illegal facilities commonly described as “baby factories”, where women and girls are reportedly held against their will, sexually abused and forced to give birth, with their babies subsequently sold.

 

According to the report, these facilities are sometimes disguised as orphanages, maternity homes or religious centres, with the problem described as particularly prevalent in southern Nigeria. The report further identified trafficking-related exploitation in domestic work, agriculture, mining, street begging and other informal economic activities.

 

These findings underscore the need for stronger monitoring of facilities working with pregnant women, children and vulnerable families, alongside effective investigation of trafficking networks and improved access to safe reporting channels.

 

Victim support falls sharply

 

Another concern is the reported decline in the number of trafficking victims who received assistance. The US assessment stated that 675 victims received support in 2025, compared with 2,058 in the previous year.

 

It also identified gaps in specialised services for male survivors, noting that only one dedicated non-governmental organisation shelter for adult male victims was available during the period. The report raised concerns about restrictions affecting residents in government-operated shelters and the limited assistance available to some adults who declined shelter accommodation.

 

The figures point to the need to examine not only how many trafficking cases are investigated, but also whether survivors can access appropriate shelter, medical care, counselling, legal assistance and opportunities to rebuild their lives.

 

Convictions rise as enforcement efforts expand

 

Despite its criticisms, the report acknowledged improvements in Nigeria’s anti-trafficking enforcement efforts. It stated that authorities investigated 1,341 trafficking cases involving 1,367 suspects in 2025, compared with 744 investigations in 2024.

 

The report also recorded 94 prosecutions and 97 convictions in 2025, up from 71 prosecutions and 49 convictions in the preceding year. The conviction figures may relate to cases initiated in earlier periods and should not be interpreted as a direct outcome of investigations opened in the same year.

 

Nigeria also increased its reported allocations for victim services and prevention programmes. According to the assessment, ₦233 million was allocated for victim services in 2025, compared with ₦128 million previously, while prevention funding rose to ₦245 million from ₦58.8 million in 2024. <Cite refs={[“turn691850search0”]}/>

 

The way forward

 

The report presents a mixed assessment of Nigeria’s anti-trafficking efforts: stronger enforcement figures coexist with concerns about official accountability, victim protection and the exploitation of children by armed groups and criminal networks.

 

For Nigeria, the next steps include strengthening investigations into alleged official complicity, expanding survivor-centred services, improving labour inspections and recruitment safeguards, and intensifying efforts to prevent the recruitment and exploitation of children.

 

Ultimately, progress should be measured not only by arrests and convictions, but also by the ability to dismantle trafficking networks, protect vulnerable people and ensure that victims receive the support they need to recover. Transparent implementation and verifiable results will be essential to demonstrating that the country’s anti-trafficking response is delivering lasting change.