Emmanuella Omah, a 20-year-old Nigerian domestic worker, has made a desperate plea for assistance as she faces a troubling situation in Egypt. Omah claims that her sponsor is demanding N2.4 million if she wishes to terminate her employment and return to Nigeria. This demand comes after a harrowing year in which she has reportedly endured maltreatment from over 15 Egyptian employers.

Omah left Lagos in May 2025, motivated by the hope of improving her family's financial situation. She was introduced to her sponsor by a family friend, who assured her that there were opportunities for young women to earn decent wages in Egypt. However, her experience has been far from what she anticipated.

In a recent interview, Omah recounted the physical and emotional abuse she suffered at the hands of her employers. "I have worked for more than 15 Egyptians, mostly women, since I got here last year, but all I suffered from them were physical assault and verbal abuse, which have traumatised me," she stated. Her last employer allegedly assaulted her after she fell from a ladder while cleaning chandeliers, leading to serious health issues, including an ulcer caused by inadequate nutrition.

Omah revealed that she has already repaid N2.6 million of her travel expenses, which totalled N5 million for a contract that was supposed to last one year and nine months. Despite her efforts to meet her financial obligations, her sponsor insists that she must pay the remaining N2.4 million before she can leave her job.

“My parents are worried, and they have called the man to help me reduce the months and find easier work since he insisted that if I would go back, I must pay the exact amount of the months remaining,” Omah explained. She has called on Nigerians and humanitarian organizations to assist her in returning to Nigeria, emphasizing the dire circumstances she faces daily.

The situation highlights the risks many young Nigerians take when seeking employment abroad, often falling prey to exploitative conditions. Omah's story serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater awareness and support for individuals in similar predicaments. As she continues to suffer in silence, the call for intervention grows louder, with hopes that her plea will reach those who can help her escape her current plight.