A Nigerian domestic worker, Emmanuella Omah, has made distressing allegations of exploitation and abuse after being forced to pay N2.4 million to her sponsor in Egypt if she wants to return home. The 20-year-old, who left Lagos in May 2025 for Cairo seeking better opportunities, claims she has endured severe physical and verbal abuse from over 15 Egyptian employers in just one year. She says her sponsor, who facilitated her travel, insists she must pay the remaining balance of her N5 million debt before she can leave, despite already paying N2.6 million from her earnings.
Omah revealed that her journey to Egypt was prompted by her family’s financial struggles and a promise of good income from a friend of her father. She was told there were many young women working successfully in Egypt, earning well as domestic workers. However, her reality has been far from the promise — instead of fair treatment, she faced relentless maltreatment, including beatings and starvation. Her last employer allegedly assaulted her after she fell from a ladder while cleaning chandeliers, an incident that led to further neglect and health complications.
Speaking to Diaspora Tales on Thursday, Omah disclosed she now suffers from an ulcer due to malnutrition and stress. She said she barely ate enough during her time with different employers, relying mostly on small sums sent by her parents from Nigeria. Even when she complained about the abuse, she was transferred to another household without any improvement in conditions. “I’ve worked for more than 15 Egyptians, mostly women, but all I suffered from them were physical assault and verbal abuse, which have traumatised me,” she said.
Her situation has drawn attention to the risks faced by Nigerian migrant workers abroad, especially those entering through informal sponsorship networks. The agreement she signed required her to work for one year and nine months to cover the full travel cost of N5 million. While she has already paid N2.6 million, her sponsor refuses to release her unless the remaining N2.4 million is settled. Her parents, deeply worried, have pleaded with the sponsor to ease the terms, but he remains firm.
Omah is now calling on Nigerians, human rights groups, and government agencies to intervene and help her return safely to Nigeria. She fears staying longer will worsen her health and mental state. As cases like hers highlight the dangers of unregulated migration, the need for stronger protection mechanisms for Nigerian workers abroad becomes increasingly urgent. This story underscores the importance of transparency, legal safeguards, and public awareness in preventing future exploitation.
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