10.5 Million Nigerian Children Living on Streets, Experts Warn of Deepening Protection Crisis
Child rights advocates have renewed calls for stronger safeguarding and protection systems for vulnerable children following the 2026 International Day for Street Children marked on April 12.
Oyedeji Olufemi, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Future of Children Initiative, urged the effective implementation and enforcement of the Child Rights Law, describing the growing population of street-connected children as a reflection of systemic failure.
Citing global estimates of about 100 million street-connected children, Olufemi noted that Nigeria accounts for approximately 10.5 million, one of the highest figures worldwide. He said many of these children are exposed daily to abuse, exploitation and neglect without access to education, healthcare, shelter or adult supervision.
“Every child deserves the protection of a home and the opportunity to grow in a safe environment,” he said, warning that life on the streets places children at significant risk of long-term harm.
In a related development, the Child Protection Network Nigeria called for urgent justice sector reforms to ensure that street-connected children are treated as victims rather than offenders.
The network said in a statement that the criminalisation of children for survival behaviours such as hawking or sleeping on the streets reflects weak social protection systems and deep-rooted socio-economic challenges, including poverty and family breakdown.
It stressed that access to justice must go beyond legal processes to include child-friendly policing, legal representation, protection from abuse and opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Stakeholders are urging government at all levels, law enforcement agencies and communities to strengthen child protection frameworks and prioritise care over punishment in line with global safeguarding standards.
