Nigeria has been identified by the United Nations as one of the countries with some of the highest verified cases of child recruitment by armed groups.
The disclosure comes ahead of the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, observed every year on February 12. The UN expressed deep concern over the continued exploitation of children in conflict zones across the world.
The UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Vanessa Frazier, described the recruitment of children as one of the most widespread and devastating violations in war-affected regions.
According to her, more than 7,400 children were recruited or used by armed forces and armed groups in 2024 alone — and those figures reflect only verified cases. Over the past three decades, the UN has separated more than 220,000 children from armed groups globally.
Nigeria was listed alongside the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Syria and Myanmar as countries where grave violations against children remain prevalent.
For over a decade, insurgency in parts of northern Nigeria — particularly involving Boko Haram and its factions — has exposed thousands of children to recruitment as fighters, informants and in other roles. Although military efforts have weakened some groups, humanitarian organisations warn that children in conflict-affected communities remain at serious risk.
Frazier stressed that the statistics represent real children whose lives have been disrupted, noting that verified cases likely capture only a fraction of the true scale of the crisis. Her office currently monitors 26 conflict situations worldwide, with the highest violations recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria and Myanmar.
Beyond documentation, the UN works directly with armed groups to secure the release of children and support their safe return. Through UNICEF and partner organisations, separated children receive psychosocial support, access to education and reintegration assistance aimed at helping them rebuild their lives.
However, reintegration often presents serious challenges — particularly for girls, who may face stigma and rejection within their communities.
Frazier emphasised that prevention remains critical. She highlighted access to education as a key protective factor, explaining that children out of school are far more vulnerable to recruitment, whether through force or coercion.
She also underscored the importance of accountability, noting that prosecuting those responsible — including cases before national courts and the International Criminal Court — sends a strong deterrent message.
Reflecting on visits to conflict-affected areas, including meetings with survivors of Boko Haram abductions in Nigeria, she described the painful reality of childhood disrupted by war. She stressed that children should never be treated as casualties of conflict and that protecting them through education, reintegration and justice measures is essential for lasting peace.
