Citizen Lifeguard Network

In Nigeria, child labour and street begging have become hidden forms of human trafficking. This article by Citizen Lifeguard Network (CLN) explores how children are exploited for profit, the dangers they face, and what must be done to end this cycle. Across Nigeria, thousands of children roam the streets daily—some selling goods, others begging for alms. Behind these scenes lies a disturbing truth: what appears to be poverty-driven child labour is, in many cases, a form of human trafficking. Whether it’s parents exploiting their children for income or individuals borrowing or renting children to beg, this practice destroys childhood and violates fundamental human rights. The Hidden Face of Child TraffickingHuman trafficking is often imagined as cross-border abductions or secret syndicates, but in Nigeria, it frequently occurs within communities. Child labour and street begging have become subtle, local forms of exploitation. Many of these children are coerced or handed over to handlers who use them to attract sympathy and money from the public. Some families, driven by poverty, agree to “lend” their children to acquaintances or middlemen who promise care or income. In reality, these children are forced to beg for hours under harsh conditions—hungry, unprotected, and voiceless—while their handlers profit. Why This Is Human Trafficking Under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act of 2015, human trafficking includes the recruitment, transfer, or use of persons for the purpose of exploitation. Forcing a child to beg, especially when the proceeds go to another person, fits this definition. The fact that these crimes happen within local communities does not make them less serious—it makes them harder to detect. The Dangers Children Face Children forced into street begging face a web of dangers: Exposure to abuse, assault, and exploitation. Health risks from hunger, pollution, and exhaustion. Denial of education, trapping them in generational poverty. Psychological trauma from neglect and rejection. Manipulation into petty crime or trafficking networks. Nigeria’s Role and Responsibility Nigeria is both a source and destination country for human trafficking, and internal child trafficking remains a major concern. Agencies like NAPTIP (National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons) are working to combat the problem, but enforcement gaps, corruption, and poverty make it difficult. Cultural factors also play a role. In some cases, religious or traditional systems such as the Almajiri model are misused by traffickers who exploit children under the guise of education or piety. The Way Forward To stop child labour as a form of trafficking, Nigeria must: Strengthen law enforcement and ensure consistent prosecution of offenders. Promote free, quality education for children in low-income areas. Increase awareness so parents and communities understand that giving a child to beggars or handlers is a crime. Support vulnerable families with economic empowerment programs and social welfare. Encourage community vigilance and reporting through collaboration with NGOs, faith leaders, and media. A Moral and National Call Child labour and street begging are not simply issues of poverty—they are signs of systemic failure. Every child on the streets is a reflection of neglect and lost potential. Allowing this to persist is equivalent to condoning human trafficking in plain sight. Protecting children is the duty of all—government, communities, and citizens alike. A nation that allows its children to suffer for survival is sabotaging its own future. No child should ever be used, borrowed, or sent to the streets to beg. Every child deserves safety, education, and a chance to dream. Author: Citizen Lifeguard Network (CLN) CLN advocates for child protection, social justice, and civic responsibility across Nigeria. Join us in building a nation where every child is safe, valued, and free from exploitation.

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