At-Risk Children in Sokoto State: Causes and Challenges

Abstract

This study investigates the causes and challenges of at-risk children in Sokoto State using a survey dataset for a sample of four hundred and eighteen (418) respondents. In the analysis, this study used descriptive technique of data analysis inform of mean and the results suggest that poverty, drug and substance abuse, school dropout, child marriage and domestic violence and, child pregnancy and abortion are among the causes of at-risk children in Sokoto State. Additional causes of at-risk children based on the findings are illegal child adoption, child trafficking, street hawking by children, gender-based and sexual violence and, child rape and child labor. On the challenges of at-risk children this study revealed that lack of access to qualitative education, corruption and bad governance, exclusion of girl child in skills acquisition schemes and inadequate of clothing and shelter and poor nutrition among others are the challenges affecting them. To reduce the hardship and integrate at-risk children, this study suggests the need for the government and relevant stakeholders to give more priority to entrepreneurship development skills such as animal husbandry, cosmetology, welding and fabrication, leather works, foods and beverages, tailoring and fashion design, poultry production, carpentry works, computer and handsets repairs and aquaculture. Finally, to ensure effective integration of at-risk children, the government must work with community leaders, religious leaders, and women leaders to raise awareness and mobilize support for the most vulnerable populations.