A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF STREET BEGGING IN MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE

ABSTRACT This study, "A Critical Evaluation of the Impact of Street Begging in Maiduguri, Borno State," adopted a convergent mixed-methods design, combining a structured survey of 300 beggars/stakeholders with Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), to critically evaluate the multi-dimensional impacts of street begging in Maiduguri. The central objectives were to examine its socio-economic drivers, assess its effects on public health, urban security, and social cohesion, and propose practical recommendations. The research revealed that street begging in Maiduguri is primarily driven by extreme poverty (80%), displacement due to conflict (57%), and a significant lack of education/skills (46%). Over half of the respondents were Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) (55%), and a substantial proportion (25%) reported a disability, highlighting the link between vulnerability, crisis, and public solicitation. The estimated average daily income from begging (approx. ₦1,050) is highly precarious. IDPs showed the highest frequency of begging (median of 6 days/week), and beggars with disabilities earned more (₦1,200 vs. ₦1,000 mean daily), suggesting that sympathy is a key determinant of alms-giving. The practice imposes significant costs on beggars and the urban environment. Beggars face high risks from harassment and road hazards (74% agree) and suffer from irregular income leading to food insecurity (69%). Crucially, 65% agreed that child involvement in begging increases the likelihood of school dropout, perpetuating intergenerational poverty. For the community, the most acknowledged challenges were littering/sanitation (71% agree) and traffic obstruction (66% agree) around major hotspots like the Monday Market and traffic junctions. While 58% of respondents noted that begging reinforces social compassion norms, 52% believed it creates a negative city image for visitors and investors. Furthermore, a substantial gap exists in governmental and non-governmental support, with only 45% of respondents aware of interventions, and low reported satisfaction (38.1%) among those who accessed aid. The study concludes that street begging in Maiduguri is a complex social issue exacerbated by structural poverty and the displacement caused by the protracted insurgency. It poses immediate threats to public health and urban security, while undermining human capital development.