Lagos Assembly advances bill seeking to ban street begging

Lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly have moved a step closer to banning street begging across the state. The bill, which passed its second reading on Wednesday, aims to address what legislators describe as a growing public safety and environmental concern stemming from the presence of beggars on major roads and public spaces.

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the growing presence of beggars on major roads and public spaces has become a public safety and environmental concern.

The proposed legislation seeks to create a legal framework for tackling street begging, a persistent social issue impacting the image of Nigeria’s commercial capital. During the debate, a range of views emerged, with many lawmakers emphasizing the need for rehabilitation and social support alongside any punitive measures.

This development comes as the Lagos State Government intensifies its efforts against street begging. On Tuesday, authorities announced the apprehension of 396 beggars during an enforcement drive. Those arrested are to be profiled before being returned to their respective states of origin.

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vulnerable children should be taken off the streets and provided with care, rehabilitation and other social services, while relevant government agencies should be made to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

Several lawmakers voiced specific concerns and suggestions. Desmond Elliot, representing Surulere Constituency I, called for a compassionate approach, particularly for children, urging their removal from streets for care and rehabilitation. Aro Moshood of Ikorodu Constituency II stressed the importance of a careful bill review to prevent potential misuse by law enforcement. Bonu Solomon from Badagry Constituency I noted that many beggars are not Lagos indigenes and suggested the law should also discourage public almsgiving. Noheem Adams of Eti-Osa 1 described the bill as timely and proposed relocating beggars to rehabilitation centers for vocational training and counseling. He also pointed to similar measures taken in Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Anambra, Abia, and the Federal Capital Territory.

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many of those engaged in street begging in Lagos were not indigenes of the state.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa acknowledged that while charity is commendable, the escalating rate of street begging poses a security risk. He advocated for structured channels for donations to ensure aid reaches those genuinely in need, while also supporting the rehabilitation of individuals found begging.

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while giving to the less privileged remains commendable, the increasing rate of street begging has become a source of insecurity and public concern.