Nigerian Children Turn to Refuse Dumps Amid Rising Poverty
As Nigeria struggles with deepening economic challenges, an alarming number of children, aged 9 to 14, are resorting to scavenging from refuse dumps to sustain themselves and their families. While some children enjoy the comfort of meals under their parents’ roofs, others carry sacks filled with discarded cartons, plastic bottles, and cans to make ends meet.
Jacob Olorunfemi, a 10-year-old, shared how the harsh economy has forced him to abandon lessons and take up scavenging.
“I don’t go to lessons anymore because my parents said there is no money after the Christmas celebration,” he said.
“My father works at a bus park, and my mother washes clothes for customers. A friend, Sule, introduced me to scavenging, and I’ve saved ₦2,000 since I started.”
Similarly, Yekini Salam, an 11-year-old orphan, narrated his plight.
“I dropped out of school after losing my father. My stepmother, who has three children, couldn’t afford to keep me in school. I now scavenge for plastics, cans, and bottles to sell. I want to save enough money to learn aluminium window and door-frame construction skills.”
Human rights activist Mr. Amos Magbagbeola described the situation as “painful and worrisome.”
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“You see children labouring day and night like adults just to feed. It’s an aftermath of the country’s economic situation, which has degraded parents’ ability to provide. Even public schools no longer offer full free education, and children now pay for books, materials, and services,” he lamented.
He urged the government to intervene immediately to address the root causes of this growing menace.
Mrs. Juliana Obuh, a civil servant, echoed similar concerns, warning of the long-term consequences.
“Underage children are everywhere begging or doing menial jobs. This hardens their hearts and makes them vulnerable to exploitation. The government must act fast because these children are the nation’s future,” she said.
The increasing number of children forced into labor and scavenging calls for the urgent need for comprehensive government intervention. Without swift action, the plight of these children may worsen, further jeopardizing Nigeria’s future.
