Edo Takes The Lead! Groundbreaking Program Targets Street Children Crisis

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief Olabisi Idaomi, revealed this during a press briefing on Friday in Benin City.

According to Idaomi, the Ministry has identified two main categories of street children: those who live permanently on the streets and those engaged in street begging.

To tackle the problem, the Ministry—working in collaboration with non-governmental organizations—carried out sensitisation campaigns in key areas such as Ihama (GRA), Ring Road, Ebo Street, and UNIBEN’s Main Gate.

These outreach efforts aimed to trace children with identifiable families and facilitate their reintegration into their homes, while also encouraging others to voluntarily transition from street life to a more structured and supportive environment.

“Following the sensitisation campaigns, rescue operations were launched, and affected children were placed in temporary care facilities,” Idaomi said. “Some caregivers later stepped forward to reclaim and take responsibility for their wards.”

The commissioner observed that a majority of child beggars on the streets, particularly along Mission Road, are of northern origin and often found in the company of family members.

To address this, the Ministry has engaged stakeholders, including community leaders, to develop sustainable strategies for removing both the children and their families from street life.

Furthermore, the Edo State Government has reached out to community leaders in the children’s home states to facilitate their planned repatriation. Radio awareness campaigns in local languages have also been launched to inform child beggars of the government’s plans.

“These messages are intended to clearly communicate the state’s next steps concerning the street presence of these children,” Idaomi stated.

She noted that population growth in the Benin metropolis has further complicated the situation, necessitating a more structured and proactive response.

“The Ministry is undertaking the systematic evacuation of child beggars and urging their states of origin to assume full responsibility,” she said. “This is to ensure they do not return to Edo after reintegration.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the government’s intervention underscores its strong commitment to protecting vulnerable street children and helping them transition toward a safer and more stable future.