‘I Was Traumatized’: US-Based Senegalese Model Mohamet Mbaye Recounts Deportation Ordeal in Nigeria
A US-based Senegalese model and content creator, Mohamet Mbaye, has recounted what he described as a deeply traumatic and humiliating experience following his deportation from Nigeria.
In an emotional account shared on Instagram, Mbaye said the ordeal has left him unwilling to ever return to the country.
He said his experience was not defined merely by the act of deportation but by the manner in which he was treated by immigration officials.
“I don’t think I’ll ever step foot into Nigeria again for the rest of my life if I can avoid it,” he said, describing the episode as the most dehumanising experience he has ever faced.
Despite the incident, Mbaye stressed his long-standing admiration for Nigeria and its people, noting that the country had always topped his list of African destinations, even ahead of Senegal and The Gambia. He said it broke his heart to speak out, especially given his close relationships with Nigerians and his broader commitment to championing African unity.
“I truly champion Africa,” Mbaye said. “To be treated like that on African soil was painful. Nigeria is so rich in culture, tradition and history, and I’ve always wanted to immerse myself in that. I feel like that opportunity was robbed from me, not just because of the deportation, but because of how traumatic the entire experience was.”
According to Mbaye, he travelled to Nigeria after being invited to attend a friend’s wedding in Abuja. He said his host assured him that all travel arrangements, including visa processing, had been taken care of. Mbaye also disclosed plans to visit an orphanage during his stay. A practice he says he maintains in every African country he visits; and revealed that he had spent thousands of dollars organising a fundraiser to give back to local communities in Nigeria.
However, complications arose at the point of departure when airline officials requested his visa. Mbaye said he was informed that Nigeria’s visa system was down and that no update was available. As a result, he was required to submit a visa application at the airport, after which he received confirmation that the application had been successfully submitted.
“I believed that once I arrived in Nigeria, the approval would be sorted,” he said. “But that wasn’t the case.”
Upon arrival in Nigeria, Mbaye said he was informed that his visa had not been approved and was taken to an office for questioning. He alleged that after one officer’s shift ended, he was left alone without any information or assistance.
“I was hungry, I was thirsty, and nobody told me anything,” he said.
Mbaye further alleged that when he attempted to seek updates, he was ignored by an immigration official until another person intervened. Even then, he said the response he received was dismissive and disrespectful before he was sent back without a clear explanation.
“I was only trying to understand what was happening,” he said.
Mbaye’s account has since sparked renewed criticism of Nigeria’s Visa-on-Arrival platform under the supervision of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The incident has raised questions among observers and travellers, with some describing the system as unreliable and calling for greater transparency, efficiency and accountability in its implementation.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
