Walk through the streets of most Nigerian cities today and you’ll see the same scene: men, women, and even small children sitting along the roadside, some with bowls in their hands, others simply stretching out their palms. Morning or evening, rain or shine, they sit there waiting, hoping someone will stop long enough to drop a few naira.
What used to be a rare sight years ago has now become part of our daily reality. In Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, and many other cities, you’ll find beggars lining the sidewalks and traffic junctions. Some are elderly with no one to care for them. Others are people living with disabilities. Many are victims of displacement from insecurity in rural areas. Sadly, some are young and healthy but have found begging to be more profitable than the low-paying jobs available.
The truth is, Nigeria is battling a mix of problems that feed this situation high unemployment, rising poverty, poor access to social welfare, and the displacement caused by conflicts. For some, it’s not just bad luck, it’s a generational struggle.
Religion and culture also play their part. In many places, giving alms is seen as a duty, and while that helps those in genuine need, it also allows the practice to keep growing without addressing the root causes.
Yes, Nigerians are known for their generosity, but the growing number of beggars comes with its challenges. Drivers complain about being pestered at traffic lights, pedestrians worry about safety, and health experts warn that constant exposure to sun, rain, and poor sanitation can lead to disease outbreaks.
If we want fewer people living on the pavement, we need more than just coins and sympathy. Skills training, small-business support, better security in rural areas, and social welfare programs are vital. Even our charitable giving could shift from handing out money on the streets to supporting structured programs that help people stand on their feet.
Until then, the roadsides will remain more than just places to pass by — they will be waiting rooms where the most vulnerable Nigerians sit, hoping for a chance at something better.
Blessing Solomon is a 300 level student of mass-communication university of Maiduguri
