A West African country among those with the highest rates of child soldier recruitment – UN

Nigeria is among the countries with the highest rates of child recruitment by armed groups, according to the United Nations.

This revelation comes on the eve of the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, celebrated every year on February 12, as the UN has expressed its concern over the persistent exploitation of children in armed conflicts around the world.

The United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Vanessa Frazier, described the recruitment of children as one of the most widespread and devastating violations in conflict settings.

"In 2024 alone, more than 7,400 children were recruited or used by armed forces and armed groups, and these are only the verified cases. Over the past 30 years, we have separated more than 220,000 children from armed gangs," she said.

Nigeria has been cited alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Syria and Myanmar as among the countries where violations of children's rights are most frequent.

For more than a decade, parts of northern Nigeria have been plagued by insurgency, with armed groups such as Boko Haram and its factions accused of recruiting children as fighters, informants, and for other roles. While military operations have weakened some groups, humanitarian organizations warn of the continued vulnerability of children in conflict-affected communities.

Ms. Frazier emphasized that the reported figures pertain to real children whose lives have been shattered. "Each figure in our report represents a child whose innocence has been destroyed," she stated, adding that the verified cases likely represent only a fraction of the actual incidents.

She explained that her office monitors approximately 26 conflict situations worldwide, with the highest number of violations recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria and Myanmar.

Beyond the administrative formalities, she indicated that the UN is collaborating with armed groups to secure the children's release and facilitate their safe return. "Once separated, UNICEF and its partners work towards their reintegration, ensuring they receive psychosocial support, access to education, and the opportunity to reclaim their childhood."