The Church’s Response to Street Children in Bauchi State

Street children represent one of the most vulnerable populations in northern Nigerian urban centres, and the church's potential role in addressing their spiritual, social, and educational needs is significant yet empirically unexplored in the North East context. This study examines the church's response to street children in Bauchi State, assessing existing church-based programmes, theological motivations, and partnership arrangements with civil society. A descriptive case study design was adopted, examining four church-based street children programmes in Bauchi metropolis from Baptist, Catholic, ECWA, and Pentecostal traditions. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with programme coordinators, twenty street children participants, and eight government social welfare officials. Documentary analysis of programme records from 2018 to 2023 was also conducted. Findings indicate that church-based programmes in Bauchi State collectively serve approximately 320 street children through education, feeding, and vocational training. However, programme sustainability is limited by inconsistent funding and over-reliance on individual pastoral champions. Theological motivation is strong, grounded in Matthew 25 and Luke 4 principles of serving the marginalised. Coordination between church programmes is minimal, resulting in duplication and service gaps. The study concludes that church responses to street children in Bauchi State, while compassionate, require institutional strengthening through sustainable funding models, inter-church coordination, and government partnership frameworks.

Keywords: street children, church response, Bauchi State, social ministry, North East Nigeria