Recall that GILPPI, on Monday observed that over two million underage children are living in an unsafe environment in Kano State.
The Kano State Bureau of Statistics has dismissed claims by Global Improvement of Less Privileged Persons Initiative that over two million underage children are begging on the streets in Kano.
Thus is as the Bureau described the figures published by the initiative as misleading.
Recall that GILPPI, on Monday observed that over two million underage children are living in an unsafe environment in Kano State.
The NGO’s Executive Director, Mohammed Mashi, had said, “These street urchins sleep in unsafe and unhygienic environments in Kano. And they are exposed to various health and safety hazards every day.”
Mashi added that the estimate followed a research and scientific survey conducted by the organization.
However, in a statement on Tuesday, KSBS Director General, Dr Suraj Sulaiman dismissed the report. He said the figures circulating do not align with findings from its verified survey across eight metropolitan Local Government Areas.
“A total of 6,573 street beggars were identified during its mapping exercise. Of this number, children aged 0–10 years accounted for only 7 per cent, representing 457 individuals,” the statement said.
The Bureau noted that youths aged 11–20 years make up 56.4 per cent of the surveyed population.
It said the data indicates the problem is largely driven by youth vulnerability linked to poverty, unemployment and limited access to education.
KSBS stated that poverty remains the primary cause of street begging in the state.
It added that the state government under Governor Abba Yusuf has received the bureau’s report and is taking steps to address the issue.
“These efforts include the declaration of a state of emergency in education and the introduction of targeted social and educational interventions aimed at tackling the root causes of street begging,” the statement said.
The Bureau said organisations conducting statistical surveys in Kano must obtain prior clearance and approval.
It called on the NGO to provide evidence of authorisation for its survey.
KSBS urged the group to retract the publication within 48 hours, issue a public correction and present proof of official approval.
It warned that failure to comply may result in legal action over alleged misrepresentation of official statistics and unauthorized data collection.
The Bureau reaffirmed its commitment to credible and evidence-based statistics to support policymaking in the State.