Poverty, Crime, and Delinquency in Lagos-Nigeria

Poverty is a major problem in Nigeria. This is evident from the presence and growth of slums and people living under the poverty level (Owasanoye, 2004). Poverty in the country is accompanied by poor living conditions, poor nutrition, crime and a high occurrence of preventable diseases. In addition, delinquency is a significant issue and is also on the constant rise particularly among the poor (Owasanoye, 2004). Poverty is a factor that is caused by and causes many predicaments. This results in a vicious circle of predicaments that are co-dependent variables. For instance, the poor lack the finances needed for education. Illiteracy leads to unemployment which, in turn, leads to poverty. Elimination of poverty is thus achievable by addressing not only the monetary aspect of it, but also the social, cultural and political issues that generate or influence it.

The poor lack the financial ability to educate their children thus financially crippling the children in the future. This leads to desperation among these children and pushes them to engage in illegal acts that generate money. This has contributed immensely to the high rise of delinquency in Nigeria (Owasanoye, 2004). Failure by the government to deal with the problem of poverty will lead to a persistent rise in delinquency, which in turn will raise the overall level of crime over the years. The government is considered the main body that can address the problem of delinquency, as well as, other crimes and poverty because of its monopolistic influence in the country (Owasanoye, 2004). Control and minimization of delinquency are possible and achievable. These can be achieved by addressing the problems associated with poverty such as unemployment, illiteracy, high school drop-out rates, and unequal resource distribution among others.

References

Owasanoye, B., Wernham, M., & Human Development Initiatives. (2004). Street children and the juvenile justice system in Lagos state of Nigeria. Lagos: Human Development Initiatives.