Lagos: The Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to prohibit street begging across the state. Lawmakers said the proposal would strengthen security, improve public order, and promote environmental sanitation while addressing the growing challenge of street begging. They described the bill as a timely response to a long-standing social problem affecting public safety, sanitation, and Lagos State’s image.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, lawmakers emphasized the need for rehabilitation and vocational support for beggars, along with protection for vulnerable children affected by the practice. They further called for safeguards against possible abuse by law enforcement agencies during the implementation of the proposed law. Desmond Elliot, representing the Surulere constituency, urged authorities to adopt a compassionate approach, particularly toward children found begging on Lagos streets. He stressed the importance of removing vulnerable children from the streets and providing them with adequate care, rehabilitation, and protection.
Aro Moshood, representing the Ikorodu II Constituency, emphasized the need for careful examination of the bill’s provisions before its eventual passage. Moshood highlighted the importance of addressing areas that could lead to misinterpretation or abuse by law enforcement agencies during enforcement. Bonu Solomon, representing the Badagry I Constituency, noted that many street beggars in Lagos were not indigenous residents of the state. He recommended penalties for people encouraging begging through indiscriminate giving while supporting the apprehension of adult beggars engaged in the practice.
Majority Leader Noheem Adams described the bill as a timely intervention capable of addressing the persistent challenge of street begging. Adams advocated relocating beggars from streets to rehabilitation centres offering correctional, vocational, and social support programmes. He cited Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Anambra, Abia, and the Federal Capital Territory as examples implementing similar measures against street begging. The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, suggested that charitable giving should be channelled through structured government platforms rather than indiscriminate street donations. Obasa emphasized the need for genuine beggars to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society through coordinated government interventions.
The Speaker referred the bill to the House Committee on Youth, Sports, and Social Development for further legislative scrutiny. The committee is expected to report back to the House within two weeks for further consideration of the proposed legislation.