LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has appealed to celebrities, social media influencers and members of the public to stop providing financial and other forms of support to street urchins, warning that such actions could undermine government efforts to tackle street disorder and improve public safety.
Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the appeal while speaking on the government’s efforts to address the activities of street urchins and other vulnerable groups who operate in public spaces across the state.
Wahab said the continued financial support given to people begging or operating on the streets could unintentionally encourage them to remain in those environments rather than take advantage of government intervention programmes designed to provide alternative means of livelihood and support.
The commissioner particularly urged influential Nigerians, including entertainers and social media personalities, to be mindful of the impact of their actions when giving money to people on the streets. He argued that repeated financial assistance could reinforce street begging and other activities that the government is attempting to address.
According to Wahab, the Lagos State Government is working to improve the condition of vulnerable residents through various interventions aimed at rehabilitation, empowerment and reintegration. He said such efforts could be undermined if individuals continue to encourage street activities through direct financial support.
The commissioner maintained that the government recognises the social and economic challenges that contribute to street begging and the presence of vulnerable people in public spaces. He said the state’s response should therefore go beyond enforcement and include measures that provide affected individuals with opportunities to improve their circumstances.
Wahab’s comments come amid continued government efforts to regulate activities on Lagos roads and other public spaces. Authorities have repeatedly raised concerns about activities that could affect traffic, public order, environmental cleanliness and the safety of residents.
The commissioner called on residents to support government initiatives by directing vulnerable people to appropriate intervention channels rather than encouraging them to remain on the streets through financial handouts.
He also urged celebrities and influencers to use their platforms to promote responsible behaviour and support programmes that provide sustainable assistance to vulnerable members of society.
The Lagos State Government has maintained that its objective is to create a safer and more orderly environment while addressing the underlying social challenges faced by vulnerable residents. The authorities are expected to continue combining enforcement measures with rehabilitation and empowerment initiatives as part of efforts to reduce street begging and related activities across the state.
