Street Begging in Nigeria: A humanitarian crisis or security threat, by Gift Luckson
Across Nigeria’s bustling cities and quiet towns, street begging has become a familiar sight. From children who stretch out their hands at busy junctions to elderly men and women seated by market entrances, begging remains a visible part of daily life.
For some, it is a desperate means of survival. For others, it raises deep questions about security, dignity, and the state’s responsibility to its most vulnerable citizens.
A Means of Survival
Many of those who beg on Nigerian streets do so out of sheer necessity. Poverty, unemployment, disability, and lack of social support push them into relying on alms to survive.
In the North, the “Almajiri” system, where children are sent to Islamic schools but often left to fend for themselves, has also contributed to the rising number of child beggars. For these individuals, begging is not a choice but a lifeline.
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A Growing Security Concern
Beyond the humanitarian side, street begging has also become a security risk. Security agencies have warned that some criminal groups hide under the guise of begging to gather information, monitor movements, or even carry out petty crimes.
The uncontrolled presence of beggars around major roads, banks, and public institutions has raised safety concerns. In some cases, syndicates exploit children and persons with disabilities, forcing them into organised begging rings.
Government and Public Response
Various state governments such as Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos, have introduced bans or restrictions on street begging. However, enforcement has been inconsistent, and many beggars return to the streets after short crackdowns.
Critics argue that without providing viable alternatives, such as education, vocational training, and welfare support, such bans only scratch the surface of the problem.
READ ALSO: Lagos Task Force arrests street beggars
Between Compassion and Caution
For ordinary Nigerians, the issue often sparks mixed emotions. While many give out of compassion, others worry that encouraging begging only deepens dependency.
Some citizens also fear that giving to strangers on the streets could expose them to scams or even security threats.
Multilayered Approach
Experts suggest that tackling street begging requires a multilayered approach:
• Social welfare programmes to support the most vulnerable.
• Reform of the Almajiri system to keep children in structured education and out of the streets.
• Vocational training and empowerment initiatives for people with disabilities and the unemployed.
• Community awareness to reduce exploitation and stigma.
Until such measures are fully implemented, Nigeria will continue to grapple with the dilemma of street begging, caught between compassion for the poor and concern for public safety.
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