THE HIDDEN CONTRIBUTORS: ECONOMIC IMPACT OF STREET CHILDREN ON HOUSEHOLDS IN OKE-OGUN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

This study evaluated the economic impact of street children on the economic growth of Oke-Ogun, Oyo State, Nigeria, repositioning them as hidden contributors rather than societal burdens. The specific objectives included assessing their economic contributions, identifying influencing factors, ascertaining positive impacts, and developing policy recommendations. A descriptive research design was employed, targeting an estimated population of 200,997 citizens in Oke-Ogun, with a focus on street children. A sample of 200 street children, representing approximately 10% of the observed street child population, was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire divided into sections on demographics and Likert-scale items measuring economic contributions, participation factors, and impacts. Analysis involved descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Findings revealed that street children engaged in income-generating activities like hawking and scavenging (mean=3.25), supporting families and local markets (mean=3.69), with services filling community labor gaps (mean=3.91). Key influencing factors included survival needs (mean=4.05), lack of supervision (mean=3.91), and limited education (mean=3.89). Positively, they stimulated informal trading (mean=4.32), filled labor shortages (mean=4.38), and enhanced productivity (mean=3.92), reducing unemployment pressures (mean=3.80). Socio-demographics showed 40.6% were 18+ years, 64.2% male, and 41.2% lived unsheltered, with poverty and parental loss as primary drivers. In conclusion, street children contributed meaningfully to Oke-Ogun's informal economy despite structural barriers, underscoring their agency in fostering resilience. Recommendations emphasized vocational training, family support programs, inclusive policies recognizing their roles, and regulated spaces to mitigate exploitation and amplify contributions for sustainable development.