Report Reveals Kano State Has Just 6,573 Street Beggars

The Kano State Bureau of Statistics (KSBS) has revealed that the state is home to 6,573 street beggars, according to the results of a recent survey conducted across eight metropolitan local government areas. The bureau’s Director-General, Suraj Sulaiman, disclosed this figure in a statement issued on Monday, explaining that it was the outcome of a comprehensive mapping exercise.

The survey highlighted that young people constitute a significant proportion of street beggars in Kano. Children aged 0 to 10 years account for 7 percent of the population, representing 457 individuals, while youths aged 11 to 20 years form the largest group at 56.4 percent. Sulaiman noted that street begging in the state is largely fueled by youth vulnerability, poverty, unemployment, and limited access to education.

According to the bureau, poverty remains the leading factor behind street begging, with unemployment and low educational attainment also contributing significantly. Sulaiman emphasized that addressing the issue requires targeted interventions that tackle these underlying causes, rather than superficial measures.

He further cautioned organisations against conducting independent surveys in Kano without proper authorisation, stressing that all statistical activities must receive prior approval from KSBS to ensure regulatory compliance.

While acknowledging the seriousness of street begging as a social concern, Sulaiman underlined the need for policy responses grounded in credible, evidence-based data. He also highlighted initiatives by Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration, including a declared state of emergency in education and programs aimed at mitigating vulnerability among children and youths in the state.