Nigerian women seeking better opportunities abroad have fallen victim to a dangerous trafficking network in Egypt, facing abuse, exploitation, and unending hardship, according to firsthand accounts obtained.
A Promised Opportunity Turns into a Nightmare
On November 6, 2024, Motunrayo Joana, a Lagos-based mother of one, left her two-bedroom home in Ikotun with hopes of working as a domestic helper in Egypt. Pressed by financial strain and limited support from her husband, Joana believed that migrating abroad could provide a breakthrough.
“My husband had stopped taking care of me, even though he has a good job,” she said. “I had no option but to try my luck elsewhere.”
She flew to Cairo via Addis Ababa the following day, alongside other women facilitated by ‘agents’ who promised jobs and housing. Upon arrival, Joana learned that her actual experience would be far from the promises made in Nigeria.
Exploitation by Sponsors and Agents
Upon arrival, Joana stayed in accommodation provided by her sponsor, Halimat, who controlled her wages and work placement. Women were often forced to sign contracts committing to 20 months of work, with their salaries remitted primarily to their sponsors.
“When I was still in Nigeria, Halimat told me I would earn 500 Egyptian pounds monthly. I did not understand its value until I arrived,” Joana recalled. “My husband had to swear an affidavit as my guarantor. Even then, my passport was controlled by the sponsor.”
Joana faced repeated beatings, verbal abuse, and threats, with limited access to her wages. Jobs were hard to secure, and middlemen fees and deductions left her indebted for months.
Other Victims Share Similar Stories
Thirty-year-old Suliat (not her real name), a single mother from Ikorodu, recounted being forced into physically demanding labor instead of the nanny work promised. She described exhaustion, mistreatment, and lack of access to medical care, highlighting that pregnant women were also severely mistreated.
Another victim, Faith, described being sold from one sponsor to another and suffering severe beatings, emphasizing that while women were preferred for their profitability, men trafficked as domestic workers also faced harsh working conditions and low pay.
The Bigger Picture: Migration and Exploitation
North Africa has become a hub for international migration, with an estimated 3.2 million migrants, nearly half of whom are women. Nigeria contributes significantly to this population, with many women trafficked under the guise of domestic work.
Abdulrahman Balogun, Head of Media at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, noted that many Nigerians embark on risky journeys abroad without informing authorities, only seeking help when situations deteriorate.
Government Response
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) confirmed that trafficking networks are under investigation. According to Press Officer Vincent Adekoye, the agency has arrested traffickers, rescued victims, and continues to collaborate with law enforcement to protect Nigerians from exploitation. In 2025, NAPTIP rescued 30 women from the Middle East and prosecuted over 90 traffickers.
Legal expert Tommy-Ojoge Daniel explained that, under Nigerian law, both traffickers and trafficked adults may be held accountable if participation was voluntary, while coercion or involvement of minors changes liability.
Conclusion
The stories of Joana, Suliat, and Faith illustrate the human cost of deceptive migration schemes, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, protective measures, and stronger enforcement against trafficking networks.
