Nigerian Professional Oluwaseun Lijoke Shares Ordeal of Being Profiled in Maldives Simply for Holding a Nigerian Passport

 

A recent incident involving a Nigerian traveler has sparked online conversations around the persistent challenges faced by citizens of certain countries, regardless of their personal records or global mobility experience. Oluwaseun Lijoke, a respected finance manager working in agriculture and non-export finance, shared her troubling experience while entering the Maldives for what should have been a relaxing getaway.

Lijoke, who has an impressive travel history and a professional career that has taken her across continents, disclosed on Friday, July 18, 2025, that she was subjected to hours of unexplained scrutiny by immigration officials upon arrival in the Maldives. According to her, she was detained for over two hours with no reason provided, ultimately missing her scheduled speedboat transfer and being forced to arrange alternate accommodation.

Despite carrying the necessary documentation and proof of previous international travel, she was reportedly treated with suspicion solely based on her Nigerian nationality. This incident has once again spotlighted the issue of racial and national profiling, particularly against African passport holders, even in international travel hubs that promote tourism as a central economic pillar.

Recounting her experience on social media, Lijoke didn’t mince words. “I was held at Maldives immigration for over 2 hours with no explanation,” she wrote. “Despite showing strong travel history, I was profiled and treated with suspicion… just for being Nigerian. My speedboat left. I had to book a new hotel last-minute. Being Nigerian shouldn’t feel like a curse.”

Travelers who frequent global destinations may be familiar with immigration protocols that include routine checks and questions, but many argue there is a clear distinction between necessary security measures and targeted profiling. Lijoke’s case highlights how the latter often disproportionately affects citizens from developing nations, regardless of their professional background, financial stability or international compliance.

The emotional and financial cost of her ordeal was significant. Missing her transfer not only disrupted her travel plans but also forced her into making hasty hotel bookings, which came at a higher cost. These additional expenses were compounded by the psychological toll of being unfairly scrutinized in a country known for its luxury and hospitality.

Social media users rallied behind her post, with many Nigerians and Africans recounting similar experiences in other parts of the world. While some expressed disappointment in the Maldives' immigration authorities, others called for African nations to improve global advocacy efforts and demand fairer treatment for their citizens abroad.

Legal experts and human rights advocates say profiling based on nationality not only raises ethical concerns but may also contravene international human rights principles. While countries have the sovereign right to secure their borders, blanket suspicion applied to specific nationalities poses broader implications for international relations and human dignity.

Oluwaseun Lijoke’s story stands out not just because of her personal distress, but because it reflects a systemic issue that affects thousands of African travelers. Whether traveling for leisure, work or education, many face repeated humiliation and disruption simply because of where they come from.

Her experience adds to the growing body of testimony urging global immigration systems to revisit how they assess travelers. Calls have been made for greater transparency, cultural sensitivity training for border officials, and for multilateral discussions aimed at reducing such discriminatory practices.

Beyond the diplomatic angles, the incident also poses questions for the tourism industry in the Maldives. A nation heavily reliant on foreign visitors must reconcile the goal of boosting tourism with how it treats guests at the border. If well-traveled professionals such as Lijoke are made to feel unwelcome, what does that suggest for first-time visitors or those less prepared to advocate for themselves?

Although she has chosen to speak out after the incident, Lijoke’s story is just one among many. Her courage in sharing what happened has amplified voices that are often ignored or minimized, and it places renewed focus on the urgent need for policy reform in global border management.

As travelers around the world continue to seek out diverse destinations, countries that embrace tourism must also show a willingness to address implicit biases within their immigration systems. For Oluwaseun Lijoke and others like her, travel should be about discovery and rest, not stress and shame inflicted without cause.