As the five-day ultimatum for beggars to vacate the streets of Abuja, issued by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, nears its end, a local non-governmental organization, the Long Term Solution for Destitute Initiative, is urging the Federal Government to adopt a more comprehensive approach to the issue of begging. Dr. Saleh Ibrahim, the Chairman of the group, stated that “addressing the menace of begging is not rocket science,” highlighting the complexity of the problem.
In a statement released in Sokoto on Sunday, Dr. Ibrahim expressed his embarrassment over the high number of beggars from Northern Nigeria. He remarked, “I am particularly embarrassed by the fact that Northerners dominate the population of beggars in the country, despite our privilege of holding political power the longest. It’s a badge of shame.” He emphasized the cultural implications of begging, citing Islamic teachings that discourage it and calling it an affront to personal dignity.
While acknowledging the FCT Minister’s initiative, Dr. Ibrahim cautioned against a superficial approach to the problem. “We shouldn’t treat a complex issue superficially,” he said, warning that a “cosmetic approach to public policy usually makes a bad situation worse.” He noted that Wike is not the first FCT Minister to expel beggars, referencing past efforts by former ministers like Nasir El-Rufai and General Jerry Useni, which had failed to achieve lasting results.
Dr. Ibrahim’s statement criticized the lack of understanding among policymakers regarding the root causes of begging. He stated, “That means the picture is bigger than the surface-level understanding of the issue by our policymakers, including Mr. Wike.” He urged that the constitutional rights of all citizens must be respected, regardless of their socioeconomic status, and highlighted the need for government support for vulnerable populations.
The statement also pointed out the previous efforts made under El-Rufai’s administration, which included the establishment of a settlement for the destitute in Yargoji. This facility features a primary school and land for agricultural use, showcasing a proactive approach to tackling poverty. Dr. Ibrahim highlighted the importance of such initiatives in addressing the underlying issues of begging.
Anna Kompatscher, a policy analyst with Housing Rights Watch, echoed Dr. Ibrahim’s concerns. She stated, “The stigmatization and penalization of beggars and poor people have heavy consequences for their dignity.” Kompatscher argued against punitive measures, asserting that “banning begging but also other penalization strategies can push the people targeted by these measures further into poverty and social exclusion.”
The broader issue of corruption was also addressed, with Dr. Ibrahim noting that public funds meant to assist the poor have been misappropriated, exacerbating the plight of vulnerable populations. “Ironically, in Nigeria, those resources are stolen through corruption,” he lamented, linking widespread poverty to systemic failings in governance.
Dr. Ibrahim emphasized that treating beggars as criminals is both morally and socially unjust. “You can’t punish the victims of corruption and spare the perpetrators,” he asserted, pointing out that those begging are often the “human debris of the devastating impact of pervasive poverty” in Nigeria.
Finally, he called for a reassessment of governance practices in Nigeria, urging authorities to look at successful international models from countries like Indonesia and Kenya. “There are steps that are scientifically proven as international best practice of addressing such social problems where there is good governance and sincerity of purpose,” he concluded, urging for actionable strategies to effectively combat the issue of begging in the nation’s capital.
