Study of Sociodemographic Characteristics of Street Children in Kano City

Street children in Kano City represent a vulnerable population whose sociodemographic characteristics, family backgrounds, and welfare needs are inadequately documented in the formal social statistics literature. This study assessed the sociodemographic characteristics and welfare status of street children in Nassarawa, Gwale, and Dala Local Government Areas of Kano City. A purposive survey of 200 children aged 6 to 17 encountered on the street was conducted, supplemented by key informant interviews with 10 social welfare officers. Data covered age, sex, family status, geographical origin, reason for street presence, education status, health status, daily income, and exposure to violence. Mean age was 11.3 years and male children constituted 72.0 percent. Family breakdown was cited as the primary factor by 38.5 percent, followed by economic hardship (33.0 percent) and the Almajiri system (22.5 percent). Only 28.5 percent attended any school. Malnutrition was apparent in 41.0 percent. Recommendations include a Kano City street children rehabilitation centre, integration into the formal education system, reforming the Almajiri system to ensure basic rights, and establishing a state child protection social work corps.

Keywords: street children, Kano City, child welfare, Almajiri, sociodemographic characteristics These findings confirm that rehabilitation, formal education access, and child protection services are essential for street children in Kano City.