Abstract：
Despite the inherent risks associated with waste scavenging, it is surprising to note the age group involved in this activity. This study aimed to assess the motivating factors driving teenagers and youths to participate in waste scavenging, using a sample of 247 scavengers. The data underwent analysis using frequency counts, percentages, and factor analysis techniques. The findings revealed that all respondents were male and aged between 12 and 45 years. The primary sources of waste were dumpsites (61%), roadsides, and gutters (26%). Participants predominantly cited lack of formal education requirements and financial gain (93%) as key motivators for their involvement in waste scavenging. Additionally, 96% of scavengers were from northern Nigeria, with the remaining 4% from southern Nigeria. The factor analysis yielded significant results with a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure and Bartlett\'s test value of 67.770%, significant at p < 0.05. Four distinct factors emerged as significant motivators: (i) Lack of formal education (31.784%), (ii) Financial incentives (22.912%), (iii) Availability of wastes (14.297%), and (iv) Industrial demand for wastes (13.495%), in descending order of influence. Together, these factors accounted for 82.487% of the motivating factors behind youth engagement in waste scavenging in the study area. This outcome highlights potential challenges for the prospects of young individuals involved in scavenging unless substantial interventions are implemented. It is recommended that policies be developed to discourage scavenging activities while simultaneously promoting access to education and social welfare for this demographic. Such initiatives are crucial for redirecting young people away from scavenging and toward more sustainable livelihood options, ensuring a brighter future for them and contributing to overall societal development.
摘要：
尽管存在与废物清除相关的固有风险，令人惊讶的是，注意到参与这项活动的年龄组。这项研究旨在评估促使青少年和青少年参与废物清理的动机因素，使用247个清除剂的样本.使用频率计数对数据进行分析，百分比,和因子分析技术。调查结果显示，所有受访者均为男性，年龄在12至45岁之间。废物的主要来源是垃圾场(61%)，路边,和排水沟(26%)。参与者主要认为缺乏正规的教育要求和经济利益（93％）是他们参与废物清理的主要动机。此外,96%的食腐动物来自尼日利亚北部,剩下的4%来自尼日利亚南部。因子分析得到了显著的结果，Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin(KMO)测量和Bartlett检验值为67.770%，在p<0.05时显著。四个不同的因素成为重要的动机：(I)缺乏正规教育(31.784%)，(二)财政奖励(22.912%),（iii）废物的可用性（14.297％），及(四)工业废物需求(13.495%),按影响力降序排列。一起,这些因素占研究区域青年参与废物清理背后的激励因素的82.487%。这一结果凸显了参与清除的年轻人的潜在挑战，除非实施实质性干预措施。建议制定政策，阻止扫荡活动，同时促进这一人群获得教育和社会福利。这些举措对于将年轻人从扫荡转向更可持续的生计选择至关重要，确保他们有更光明的未来，并为整体社会发展做出贡献。
