Financial struggles fuel surge in 'Company Solicitations' across the Federal Capital Territory

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Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have increasingly turned to what is locally described as “corporate begging” as a means of coping with economic hardship, with the practice becoming more visible at traffic intersections, offices, and commercial centres.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the individuals involved are often well-dressed, making it difficult for members of the public to ignore their requests for financial assistance.

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A civil servant, Mr Musa Sani, said he had repeatedly encountered individuals in the Central Business District (CBD) who approach people with emotional stories while soliciting money.

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“They appear organised and persistent. Sometimes they approach aggressively, making it difficult to ignore,” he said, adding that the trend was affecting customer experience around his workplace.

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In Wuse Market, trader Ms Adaeze Gozi said some individuals operate in groups, moving from shop to shop while requesting financial help under various pretences.

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“They claim to represent organisations or urgent causes, but there is rarely any proof,” she said.

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Another civil servant, Mrs Lucy Obi, narrated a personal experience in which a woman approached her at an ATM requesting money for medication and baby food, only for the same person to reappear later under a different claim.

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Taxi driver Mr Umar Ilyasu said major traffic congestion points in the city have become hotspots for such activities, especially during peak hours, as beggars target motorists stuck in traffic.

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A university student, Wale Ibrahim, attributed the growing trend to rising unemployment and worsening economic conditions.

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“Many see it as an easier alternative to job hunting, especially with the rising cost of living,” he said.

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Meanwhile, Mrs Ummi Ahmed, a resident of Wuse, called on authorities to address the situation, warning that some individuals may be exploiting public sympathy or using begging as a cover for other activities.

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“There should be awareness and enforcement to distinguish genuine charity from exploitation,” she said.

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However, one individual who engages in begging and declined to be named said the practice was a family tradition that had sustained them over the years, though he expressed hope that his children would not continue in the same path.

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A young boy, Hassan Hassan, also said begging was his only means of survival, noting that his mother and younger siblings depend on him for support.

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He said his situation began after his father abandoned the family, adding that peers in his community introduced him to begging as a coping strategy.

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(NAN)

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