ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A Nigerian man from Akwa Ibom State who publicly cried out for help to fund his deportation back to Nigeria after years of immigration struggles in the United Arab Emirates is now receiving assistance, following intervention from a Nigerian attorney and the Embassy of Nigeria in Abu Dhabi.
Michael Bassey, originally from Ikot Akpa Ekpuk Ndiya in Ikono Local Government Area, moved to the UAE in 2015 to work in the oil and gas sector. His wife and four children joined him in 2020. But in 2022, after attempting to change employers, his residency permit expired, leaving the family undocumented, jobless, and unable to send their children to school.
“We are stuck here with no documents, no jobs, and no way to send our children to school,” Bassey said in a public appeal. “All we want is to go back home to Nigeria.”
The family’s plight drew attention after a video appeal circulated online. Attorney Asukwo Mendie Archibong, a Nigerian and U.S. lawyer, confirmed he received the video and immediately contacted the Nigerian Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Embassy officials acknowledged his message and responded within hours, and Bassey and his family are now receiving the necessary assistance. “We are relieved that the embassy has stepped in. This is a humanitarian issue, and no Nigerian should be abandoned abroad,” Archibong said.
News of the embassy’s intervention has sparked widespread reactions in Akwa Ibom and across Nigeria. Citizens expressed empathy, with many calling for stronger government support for Nigerians stranded abroad. “This could be any of us. Migration is not easy, and our people need protection,” said one resident in Uyo. State officials noted that they are monitoring the situation, with a spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom government saying, “We are committed to working with federal authorities to ensure our citizens are treated with dignity wherever they are.”
On social media, Nigerians rallied around the family, sharing the video and celebrating the embassy’s swift response. Hashtags like #BringMichaelHome trended among diaspora communities. Social commentators highlighted the broader issue of migration pressures. “This case underscores the vulnerability of migrant workers in the Gulf. Nigerians often face harsh visa restrictions, and without proper documentation, families can be trapped in limbo,” said Lagos-based analyst Chika Okoro.
Since 2022, the UAE has tightened visa and work permit rules for Nigerians, leaving many stranded. Human rights advocates warn that expired visas can lead to fines, detention, or forced deportation, making voluntary return difficult without financial support.
For Bassey, the ordeal has been exhausting. He estimates the cost of travel documents, outpasses, and flight tickets for his family of six at nearly ₦8 million ($5,300). With embassy intervention now underway, his hope is finally within reach: “We just want to go home.”
Those who wish to assist Bassey and his family are encouraged to reach out directly to the Embassy of Nigeria in Abu Dhabi to coordinate support.
