As economic hardship worsens under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, more Nigerians are turning to begging as a means of survival.
Following the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira in 2023, living costs have surged, pushing many into financial distress.
This has led to a significant rise in street begging, with some individuals resorting to deceptive tactics, known as “corporate begging,” to solicit alms from residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other areas. Despite efforts by authorities to curb street begging, the problem continues to grow as poverty deepens.
Emeka Okoro, a businessman, is one of many who has fallen victim to these new forms of begging. He recalls a recent encounter at the popular Berger Bridge in Abuja, where a teenage girl, alongside her mother, approached him asking for transport fare.
“A teenager and her mother were standing, and when the girl saw me, she asked for help, claiming they were stranded and needed money to get to Nyanya. I gave her N1,000 for her mother,” Okoro said. However, as he waited for his taxi to fill, he was surprised to see the duo asking the same favor from more than 10 other passersby, many of whom gave them money as well.
Okoro’s experience is one of many that highlight the growing trend of deceptive begging in Abuja, which has surged since May 2023, following the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, plunging many Nigerians into deeper financial hardship.
Despite policies implemented by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) aimed at curbing street begging—including a ban and the repatriation of beggars to their home states—the number of beggars has continued to rise. Previously, most beggars in Abuja were individuals with disabilities, children, or adults feigning physical or financial challenges. Now, the practice has evolved into what is commonly referred to as “corporate begging.”
These “corporate beggars” have designated locations such as Berger Roundabout, Wuse Market, Federal Secretariat, Area 1, Nyanya, Lugbe, Kubwa, Maitama, Banex Plaza, and AYA Roundabout. In these areas, they use increasingly sophisticated methods to prey on residents.
A commercial driver, Mr. Justin, shared his encounter with a tricycle (keke) rider in Gwarinpa. “The man, with tears in his eyes, claimed his wife had given birth the previous night, but the baby had no sex organs and needed surgery. I gave him what I could to help,” Justin said. “Three weeks later, I found myself in the same man’s keke, only for him to come up with a completely different story, again begging for money. When I confronted him, he vanished.”
Others have had similar experiences. A young lady in Dutse recalled how a boy and a girl approached her, claiming to sell products from a company but needing money for transport to return. When she offered to buy one of their products to help, they refused, revealing their true intent was only to collect money.
Samuel, another victim, encountered a well-dressed young man who asked for money to charge his phone, claiming to be stranded. A passerby recognized the beggar’s scam and warned Samuel, prompting the beggar to quickly walk away.
Shop owners like Mrs. Gracious Uwem have also been targeted. She explained how beggars, after a day of soliciting, now use her business premises as their resting spot. They often perform small tasks like sweeping to emotionally pressure her into giving them money or food.
“They sleep here after working the streets all day,” Uwem said. “They clean up my shop hoping I’ll feel sorry for them and give them something. I give them what I can, but I also fear they might rob me one day if I refuse. Their presence has a silver lining, though—they might scare off thieves.”
For some residents like Emmanuel, the deception used by these beggars is what makes it difficult to lend a helping hand. “I have no problem helping those in need, but recently, beggars have started hiding behind fake stories to rob people,” he said. “Just last week, some children who usually beg under the bridge tried to steal my bags while pretending to help carry them. Thankfully, some passersby caught them. It’s sad because these same children beg during the day, but at night they turn into thieves.”
With the ongoing economic crisis, the line between genuine need and deception has blurred, making it increasingly challenging for Abuja residents to decide whom to trust when giving alms.
