Nigeria, Nov. 7 -- The sun had only just begun to stretch its golden arms across the quiet streets of Ilorin. A soft breeze carried the scent of dust and roasted corn, mingling with the distant hum of traffic. At Tipper Garage, the calm of the morning was quickly broken by a familiar chorus of small voices calling out to motorists, palms outstretched, eyes filled with hope and exhaustion.

Among the swarm of tiny figures darting between vehicles were Aishat and Fati, two young girls no older than ten. Their bare feet tapped lightly against the warm tar as they moved from car to car, their voices almost lost in the noise.

Aishat clutched the edge of her worn hijab, her gaze fixed on the window of a slowing taxi when this reporter approach...