Hardship pushes Lagos teenage schoolgirls into prostitution

Escalating hardship and its crushing effects leaves many Nigerians with deadly alternatives. PUNCH Healthwise investigations expose how the situation has pushed Lagos teenage schoolgirls from low-income families into prostitution as they struggle to survive, SODIQ OJUROUNGBE reports

In the heart of Mushin, one of Lagos’ most chaotic and crowded neighbourhoods, stood a rundown hotel that had become a silent witness to a darker side of the city. The air around it was thick with the smell of sweat, desperation, and broken dreams. This was no longer just a hotel, it was a refuge for many teenage schoolgirls who had been swallowed whole by the city’s unrelenting hustle. The sign above the entrance, with its faded letters reading “White House,” looked out of place next to the decay around it.

Inside, the walls, once bright and welcoming, were now cloaked in layers of dirt and neglect. The cheerful colours that had once adorned the rooms were faded, and peeling, as though time itself had turned its back on this place. What remained were the echoes of lives lived in limbo, trapped between survival and discomfort.

It wasn’t a place anyone chose to stay, but for some girls, it was the only choice left. The hotel is now a pleasant home for them — the price of survival paid with their bodies.

There, sitting on the chipped, faux-leather couch at the hotel’s reception was Arike Mayowa and her 15-year-old friend, Abidemi Kosoko.

Mayowa, just 16 years old, appeared much older. Her frame, delicate and childlike, seemed to carry the weight of the world. Her posture hunched slightly as if trying to shield herself from the constant pressure of reality bearing down on her. Her skin, once smooth and radiant, now carried the weight of exhaustion, she looked pale, ashen in spots, and dotted with the faintest traces of neglect.

Her face, framed by unruly hair, looked like something trapped between innocence and despair. Her bright pink lip gloss, glossy and fresh, contrasted sharply with the weariness that clouded her eyes.

After being introduced by the hotel manager, David who had unknowingly crossed paths with our correspondent the night before at a club during this undercover investigation, Mayowa was eager to share her story.

Recounting her journey to this filthy hotel, Mayowa said she had left her hometown of Ilaro in Ogun State at just 15 years old, driven by the harsh realities of poverty.

She stated that her family was struggling to make ends meet, and couldn’t provide for her anymore.

She said she came to Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling metropolis, in search of a better life.

She narrated that she was working for a woman who exploited her vulnerability at a popular place in Mushin called Ghetto, a notorious hub for drug peddlers,

“Recently, the police and NDLEA were coming to arrest drug peddlers at Ghetto. The raids were becoming more frequent. So, we had to scatter. That was when I met my friend, and we started contributing N3,000 daily to stay here. It is a hotel, but it is not safe. Men come and go, and you do what you have to do to survive,” she stated.

The World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update report in October showed a bleak outlook on poverty in the country, disclosing that over 129 million Nigerians now live below the national poverty line.

Worrisomely, the World Bank’s latest report on Macro Poverty Outlook also indicated that low labour income had pushed an estimated 14 million Nigerians into poverty in 2024 amid rising inflation.

Nigerians have continued to lament the worsening hunger nationwide and wondered when the country’s ballooning rate of inflation would slow down.

Abandon schoolMayowa, the last born in a family of four, said the situation at home made her leave her family very early even without completing secondary school.

“My family couldn’t take care of me anymore. There was nothing left at home. My parents were struggling so badly, they couldn’t even afford to send me to school. I felt like I had no choice but to leave.

“I thought maybe if I came to Lagos, I could find work, a way to send money home. But it didn’t take long before I found out that people here, especially women like me, are treated like nothing,” she lamented.

When asked when she intended to stop, Mayowa said she was doing that to survive and also to save up so that she could start a business.

Mayowa, who claimed to sleep with at least seven to ten different men in a week, added that she engaged in daily contributions and also used part of the money to take care of the daily three thousand naira being paid to the hotel owner as rent.

She said, “I want to be selling wares and all, so, I am saving a lot of money so that I will be able to start my own business soon.

“I make money depending on the person. But for a short time, you have to pay me between five thousand and seven thousand and you will be allowed to do one round, and I also give you head.

“For daybreak or you want me to be with you for a longer period comes with extra charges and I charge based on who is taking me, the least I can take for that is ten thousand or more.

“Many of us don’t wish to stay here, but the reality is there and we need to survive. Although I have not been sending money home, my wish is to start sending money in months to come.”

Hardship as the driving force

Mayowa’s story, sadly, is not an isolated one. Investigations by PUNCH Healthwise uncovered a disturbing trend in motels and hotels across Lagos State.

Findings showed that young girls, driven by poverty and hunger, are forced into prostitution to survive.

For five  days, our correspondent went undercover to some hotels and motels located in Mushin, Bariga, Yaba, Obalende and Surulere, where some of these teenage girls were seen in revealing clothes, hanging around corridors and bars, waiting for ‘clients’.

These underage prostitutes popularly called ‘Monke’ on Lagos streets were forced into prostitution to survive.

From conversations with more than ten of these girls, PUNCH Healthwise observed that economic hardship has become the driving force behind the ugly trend, tearing families apart and fuelling an alarming rise in out-of-school children.

It was discovered that most of these girls come from low-income families, where parents struggle to provide necessities. Their homes are often characterised by overcrowding, limited access to education, unstable income, and lack of social support.

Across Lagos, PUNCH Healthwise found that an alarming rise in the number of out-of-school children could be traced to families facing economic hardship.

Many of these children, like Mayowa and her friend, are girls who drop out of school to support their families in any way they can.

With limited access to education and a lack of social safety nets, these girls face an uphill battle that often ends with them losing their futures to the desperate realities of poverty.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, 40 per cent of Nigerian girls are married before age 18, and 20 per cent are forced into prostitution.

Poverty, lack of education, and desperation have created a perfect storm, fueling an alarming rise in out-of-school children.

UNICEF revealed that one in three Nigerian children is out of school. This totals about 10.2 million children at the primary level and about 8.1 million at the junior secondary school level.

The global organisation identified the agglomeration of administrative, economic, and socio-cultural factors as causes of the alarming rate of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

Torn between survival and sacrifice

In Mushin, a dense, overcrowded neighbourhood in Lagos, economic hardship is a daily reality. This area, like many others across the city, is home to families caught in poverty, where survival is a daily struggle.

For many young girls, the pressures of this harsh environment lead them to make choices no child should ever have to face. Among them is 17-year-old Funmilayo, whose life, much like the streets she walks, is filled with obstacles, sacrifices, and deferred dreams.

When our correspondent first met Funmilayo, she was standing at the entrance of one of the motels that house many of these teenage prostitutes. Her young face betrayed the exhaustion of a life lived in the margins.

Funmilayo agreed to accompany our correspondent to a nearby hotel and mentioned that she was willing to offer sexual services to him and his fixer, provided they were willing to pay her a fair amount for it.

At the hotel, she revealed that she had little hope of escaping the poverty that trapped her.

“I dropped out of school in SS1. I had to because My mum was struggling, and we didn’t have enough to eat. I couldn’t keep up with school. My family needed me,” she lamented.

For Funmilayo, the challenges started long before her school days ended. She said her father passed away when she was just a young girl, leaving her mother to raise her and her siblings alone.

With no steady income, Funmilayo said her mother struggled to keep their home afloat.

She lamented that their house in Mushin is cramped, with barely enough room for the five of them to sleep, let alone live with any sense of comfort.

“My mum is a widow. It’s just me, her, and my younger siblings. We don’t have much. Sometimes, we don’t even have enough food to eat. I do what I can to help her. I do it for my family,” she explained.

Despite working as a cleaner at a private hospital, where she earns just 30,000 naira a month, Funmilayo stated that the salary is barely enough to cover the most basic family needs.

She lamented that the cost of living, compounded by a lack of proper education and social support, means she has to find other ways to survive.

“I use the money I make to buy food for my family. But it’s not enough. That’s why I do other things,” she stressed.

The “other things” she refers to are part of a reality that no young girl should have to face.

To make ends meet, Funmilayo said she turns to the streets, where she sells her body for money.

“I never wanted to do this. But what can I do? My mum needs help, and my siblings need to eat. I do it because I don’t want to see my family suffer. It’s the only way I can help,” she expressed with tears dropping from her eyes.

At just 17, Funmilayo’s childhood was lost to the struggle for survival. Every day is a battle between cleaning floors at the hospital and walking the streets at night to make money.

“My mother is aware I am doing this. A lot of times she will call me just to know my movement, I don’t hide anything from her because she is the only one I have and I can talk to,” she concluded.

In Surulere, our correspondent met 16-year-old Bukola, who has been in the process of selling her body for two years.

Bukola told PUNCH Healthwise that her parents struggle to make ends meet, adding that they were unaware of her situation.

“I started doing this two years ago. My parents couldn’t afford to feed me.”

“I wanted to help my family. But I didn’t know what else to do. A friend introduced me to this.

“I was scared at first, but then I realised it was the only way to survive,” Bukola said.

When asked about the kind of people she sleeps with, Bukola said her clients ranged from young men to older ones.

“I do different kinds of men so far they are ready to offer me better money. I also have sex without protection if the person is ready to pay well for it.

“As I am, I engage in a daily contribution of N3,000 and I have to look for ways to make money so that I can be able to pay. I am doing this so that I can support my family in the little way I can,” she stated.

The Enablers

Findings by PUNCH Healthwise revealed that some of these hotel owners, and motel managers profit from the exploitation and suffering of these young girls.

The investigation led our correspondent to eight hotels and motels with many owners profiting from the misery of these young girls, and turning a blind eye to their suffering.

In every hotel and motel visited, it was observed that there was a club, where young girls were exploited as bait to lure men into patronising their businesses.

These clubs transformed into hunting grounds, where men preyed on vulnerable girls, some barely 13 years old. The atmosphere reeked of exploitation, as teenage girls, dressed in revealing attire, were objectified and reduced to mere commodities.

Men flocked to these clubs, enticed by the prospect of cheap thrills and expensive drinks. The price tags for these drinks were exorbitant, but the real cost was borne by the girls, whose innocence and dignity were sacrificed for financial gain.

Our correspondent witnessed girls, visibly underage, being subjected to sexual advances and harassment. Their bodies were objectified, their smiles forced, and their eyes vacant.

One hotel owner, when confronted, shrugged off the exploitation.

“We are just providing a service, we are not the ones that asked the girls to come here, and nobody is underage here, don’t be deceived by their young looks” he said, his tone devoid of empathy.

A motel manager admitted to knowing the girls’ ages but claimed helplessness.

“It is because you have patronised us here and I like your vibe that is why I am telling you this. Truly, many of them are homeless and instead of them just being on the street where they are susceptible to rape, we decided to accommodate them by collecting little money like three thousand daily from them.

“Yes, some of them are below 18, but you can’t know except if we tell you. We can’t afford to lose our business,” he confessed.

Similar stories unfolded in Yaba, Bariga, and other areas visited by PUNCH Healthwise.

Our correspondent met 15-year-old Tolani in a cramped hotel room in the Yaba area of the state.

Her eyes seemed to carry the weight of countless untold stories, and her gaze appeared far older than her 15 years.

“I was 14 when I started. My parents couldn’t afford to feed me, so I ran away from home. A friend introduced me to this life. I can’t afford to die of hunger,” Tolani expressed in Yoruba.

She said her family numbering seven lived in a small apartment in Ojuelegba.

She revealed that her father was a struggling trader, who barely made ends meet, and her mother was a petty trader.

Tolani, who claimed to be the first child among the five children, added that she left the house because it was no longer comfortable staying in a ‘choking one-room apartment with six others on an empty stomach’.

The teenager said her friend who was older and had more experience in prostitution took her in.

“She taught me how to attract clients, and how to please them. I felt dirty at first, but now it’s just a routine,” she explained.

Narrating one of her bad encounters with one of her violent clients, Tolani said, “One client beat me up once, I thought I would die. He had sex with me without paying for it.  But I couldn’t report him because I was afraid.

“I am in SS2. I want to go back to school and become a doctor or lawyer. But it looks more like a dream because there is no one to support it.

“I am not alone; there are many like me. We are just trying to survive. Please, don’t judge us. We are not bad people, we are just lost.”

At Bariga, 17-year-old Aisha said desperation led her to a place she never imagined.

“I just wanted to help my family. I couldn’t stand seeing them suffer, but I didn’t know what else to do. I was so young, and the world felt so big and unforgiving,” she stated

“At first, I was terrified, I didn’t understand what it all meant, but I had no choice. I had to survive.

“But over time, I got used to it. The fear faded, replaced by something else. Now, it is just part of my life, it is just a way to survive.

“It is not easy, but what choice do I have?” Aisha asked, her eyes distant, as though the answer was already written in the experiences that shaped her young life.

PUNCH Healthwise discovered that the exploitation is not limited to prostitution. These girls are also vulnerable to physical and emotional abuse, sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancies.

Victims of circumstances

A Professor of Educational Psychology in the Department of Social Sciences Education, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Abdullahi Onimisi described many of the teenage girls as innocent victims of circumstances.

Onimisi stressed that the psychological toll of teenage prostitution on these young girls cannot be overstated.

“The girls are using their God-given assets to live. They have nothing else to rely on. We are living in a materialistic society where child care is zero.

“These girls are falling innocent victims of circumstances. They’re job seekers, but they can’t find employment. They’re not serving humanity or the nation,” he said.

The psychologist attributed the problem to ineffective laws, lack of education, and poor child-rearing practices.

He maintained that many teenage girls are lured into prostitution by hotel owners, motel managers, and pimps who profit from their misery.

“Our law is not effective. If it were, hotels wouldn’t allow minors to enter. The owners would be held accountable.”

The don advocated for stronger laws and increased government intervention.

“The government needs to work more on implementing effective laws. We need to provide education, job opportunities, and support for these girls,” he stated.

The professor, however, warned that the long-term consequences of teenage prostitution include mental health issues, social stigma, and reduced economic prospects.

Onimisi emphasised that the trauma experienced by these girls can have long-term consequences, affecting their ability to form healthy relationships and maintain emotional stability.

He noted, “The girls will be deluded. They will struggle to marry or find stable employment. Society will disown them.

“The constant exposure to exploitation, abuse, and violence takes a toll on their mental health. They may end up struggling with low self-esteem, self-blame, and feelings of shame, leading to a fragmented sense of identity.”

Lifetime of consequences

A consultant gynaecologist at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital, Dr. Adeyemi Otunuya noted that the reproductive health implications of teenage prostitution are equally alarming.

Otunuya warned that these girls are at high risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, and unintended pregnancies.

“Their reproductive health is compromised due to lack of access to quality healthcare, condoms, and reproductive education.

“Many suffer from pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and other gynaecological complications,” the reproductive expert stated.

The physician highlighted the importance of providing these girls with comprehensive reproductive health services, including access to contraception, STI testing, and prenatal care.

“The consequences of untreated STIs and unintended pregnancies can be devastating. These girls may face lifelong health complications, social stigma, and economic hardship,” she added.

Addressing the root causes

The alarming rise of teenage prostitution has sparked concerns among experts, who point to poverty, lack of education, and social inequality as key drivers.

According to Dr. Olufunmilayo Folorunso, a sociologist at the University of Lagos, poverty is a major factor in the increase of teenage prostitution. When families struggle to make ends meet, young girls are often forced to seek alternative means of survival.

Folorunso emphasised that the lack of access to education and job opportunities further worsens the problem.

She noted the importance of sensitisation programmes to raise awareness about the dangers of prostitution and the importance of education.

“Education is key to empowering these girls and providing them with alternatives to prostitution. Without education, they lack the skills and knowledge to secure better-paying jobs, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation,” she noted.

The sociologist said community involvement is important in breaking the cycle of poverty and exploitation.

She stressed that local leaders, parents, and community members must work together to create a supportive environment for these girls.

“Community leaders must take ownership of this issue. They must work with government agencies and non-profit organisations to provide resources and support for these girls,” she explained.

Corroborating her, a human rights activist, Mrs. Abosede Olowu stated that the government needs to address the root causes of poverty and inequality.

She noted that providing education, job opportunities, and social support could help reduce the number of girls turning to prostitution.

The activist stressed that a multi-faceted approach is necessary, involving government agencies, non-profit organisations, and community leaders.

“These girls need our help. We need to provide them with education, skills training, and economic empowerment to help them break the cycle of poverty,” she added.

When contacted, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho,  said the government was doing a lot in supporting young people, including training and empowerment opportunities.

Omotosho stated the government had also created an environment for all children to have equal opportunity in the state.

While condemning prostitution among teenage girls, the commissioner said there was a need for sensitisation that would make the residents know the benefit of obtaining Lagos registration cards.

“The government is doing so much for our young people- over 6000 trained in the creative industry, thousands trained in Agric, free WASSCE registration for thousands, sports sponsorship- and more.

“The government has created an environment in which all kids have equal opportunity to excel.

“Those who have chosen prostitution have not done well. Where are their parents? Why did they dump their responsibility on these kids? When did they arrive in Lagos?

“This is why the Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration keeps saying people should obtain LASRA cards; it’s free. We need the data – for planning and security. I doubt if these teenagers have. You need to educate them about this,” he stated.

Also, on different days, our correspondent reached out to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, but her number was not going through, and messages sent to her were never replied to.

On different days, our correspondent reached out to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, but her number was not going through, and messages sent to her were never replied to.

Also, PUNCH Healthwise reached out to the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho. He did not pick up his call and did not respond to text messages sent to his line at the time this report was filed.