Sanwo-Olu Pledges To Stop Street Begging In Lagos

The Lagos State Government, under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commenced zero tolerance of street begging, promising not to accommodate the act henceforth in any part of the state.

The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende disclosed this on Thursday while leading the Special Rescue Operations launched by the ministry, in collaboration with the Lagos State Task Force, with a mission to rid the state of street begging in Lekki axis.

According to the Commissioner:

“The act of begging or using babies to solicit alms is not part of our religion or culture. It doesn’t support the socio-economic growth of any state. It is counterproductive because some of the so-called beggars have been discovered to be involved in criminality.

Before embarking on resuscitating the “Special Rescue Operations” primarily aimed at enforcing the relevant sections of the State Government Laws as well as the Child Rights Law banning begging, the Ministry had carried out massive advocacy and sensitisation to help Lagosians, especially the public-spirited ones, know what to do concerning helping the less privileged in the state. Street begging has been banned in Kano, Kaduna and other states in Nigeria.


So why not Lagos State? We advise those who want to help the less privileged among us to take their gift items be it cash or materials to our Homes or Centres designated to help the needy”.

The Permanent Secretary of the Operation, Pharm (Mrs) Toyin Oke-Osayintolu added that the ministry decided on this exercise following a series of reports from residents to the ministry, who complained of being constantly harrassed by street beggars.

She, however, warned people who are in the habit of using babies to beg for alms to stop the act and participate in legitimate business because those caught would be made to face the wrath of the law.