In the bustling neighborhood of Mushin, Lagos, a rundown hotel has become a refuge for teenage schoolgirls caught in the web of economic despair.
Once a vibrant establishment, the “White House” now stands as a haunting reminder of lost dreams, its faded sign overshadowed by decay and desperation.
Inside, the atmosphere is thick with a sense of hopelessness. The once-bright walls are now grimy, reflecting the lives of young girls trapped between survival and discomfort. For some, this hotel has become a reluctant home, where survival comes at a steep price.
Among the residents is 16-year-old Arike Mayowa, whose youthful appearance belies the burdens she carries. After leaving her hometown of Ilaro in Ogun State, driven by poverty, Mayowa found herself in Lagos seeking a better life. She recounted her journey, revealing how she became entangled in the exploitative environment of Mushin.
“I came here hoping for work to send money back home, but I quickly realized how vulnerable I was,” she explained. Mayowa was forced to rely on men for income, contributing ₦3,000 daily to stay in the hotel, where safety is a constant concern. “You do what you have to do to survive,” she said.
Recent reports from the World Bank paint a grim picture of poverty in Nigeria, with over 129 million people living below the national poverty line. Economic challenges have driven many, like Mayowa, to abandon their education in search of income.
“My family couldn’t take care of me anymore,” she said. “I thought if I came to Lagos, I could help them, but it’s been the opposite.” Mayowa, who engages with multiple clients weekly, dreams of starting her own business one day.
Her story is echoed by others in the city. Investigations have uncovered a troubling trend among young girls resorting to prostitution to escape poverty. A recent undercover operation revealed that many girls, often referred to as “Monke” on the streets, are driven by hunger and economic necessity.
Throughout Lagos, the number of out-of-school children is alarming, with economic hardship forcing families apart. The United Nations Children’s Fund estimates that one in three Nigerian children is out of school, totaling about 18 million children at various educational levels.
In Mushin, 17-year-old Funmilayo also faces the harsh realities of poverty. After dropping out in SS1 to help her struggling family, she finds herself in similar circumstances as Mayowa. “I had to leave school because my family needed me,” she said, reflecting on her life filled with struggles and sacrifices.
As these young girls navigate the treacherous waters of survival, they confront a future uncertain, caught between the desire for a better life and the harsh realities of their circumstances. The stories of Mayowa and Funmilayo serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many in Nigeria, where economic hardship continues to shape lives and futures.
