How Insecurity, Harsh Economy Affect Demand For Domestic Maids

By Okem Green Mbah, Yenagoa; Achor Abimaje, Jos; Emmanuel Mgbeahurike, Owerri; Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti and Richard Ndoma, Calabar

The growing wave of insecurity and worsening economic hardship across Nigeria are steadily reshaping the culture of employing domestic maids in many homes, particularly among working-class families and career mothers.

Across several states, findings by LEADERSHIP Sunday revealed that increasing cases of theft, child abuse, kidnapping and other crimes allegedly linked to domestic workers have heightened fears among households, forcing many families to either abandon the practice or adopt stricter screening measures before employing anyone.

Many respondents noted that both strangers and familiar faces are now viewed with suspicion amid the prevailing security challenges in the country.

“Both strangers and known persons are now being viewed as prospective criminals because of the situation in the country. Nobody wants to take chances anymore, even when they genuinely need their services,” a respondent told our correspondent.

The fear, many residents said, has been fuelled by recurring reports on social media and in mainstream news of domestic aides accused of stealing, abusing children, poisoning employers or collaborating with criminal gangs.

Others blamed the situation on the absence of proper background checks, pointing out that many families still rely on informal recruitment through relatives, villages and unregulated agents, making it difficult to properly verify the identity and integrity of domestic workers.

Some respondents also argued that poor treatment of domestic staff, including overwork, underfeeding and abuse, sometimes creates resentment that may lead to retaliation or hostility within homes.

In Bayelsa State, Mrs Pauline Oyibe said many families around her have stopped employing domestic maids because of financial pressure and security concerns.

“Most people I know are no longer hiring domestic maids. In the past, I brought in my relatives to help me, but as my children grew older, I found it difficult to bring in another person because of the economic hardship.

I also know neighbours who had to sack their house help because there was no money to keep them,” she said.

According to her, many parents now prefer keeping their children in schools or crèches until after work hours instead of engaging in house help.

“If things were normal, people would still hire maids to look after their children. But now, many parents see it as cheaper and safer to keep their children in school until they return from work,” she added.

Another respondent, Mrs Aqua Akpuruku, said despite the prevailing insecurity, many working-class women and career mothers still depend on domestic maids because they have limited alternatives.

“Insecurity has made people scared because you do not really know who you are leaving your children with.

We hear stories every day about abuse, kidnapping and even killings involving relatives and trusted persons. But many women still hire maids because they have no choice. They just keep trusting God for the safety of their children,” she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Juliet Uyabara said many families now pay closer attention to the background and identity of domestic workers before employing them.

“People are now more careful than before. Most families try to verify the identity of maids through recommendations, guarantors or trusted agents.

The economic situation and busy work schedules still make domestic help necessary for many homes, but insecurity has made people more cautious in the hiring process,” she stated.

In Plateau State, several residents of Jos South Local Government Area expressed strong opposition to the idea of hiring domestic maids.

An elder, Edwin Oji, who resides in K-Vom, said he does not support employing domestic workers because even trusted aides can later betray their employers.

“Experience has shown that some maids kill their bosses and make away with jewellery, money and other valuables.

Many innocent Nigerians have lost their lives and property to such unscrupulous elements. To me, I do not subscribe to the idea of hiring domestic maids, even if the person is my relative,” he said.

Mrs Rabi Usman also said reports of child maltreatment by domestic workers have discouraged many parents from engaging their services.

“Some people are lucky to have good and well-behaved domestic maids, but others are not. From the stories we read on social media every day, I will not advise any of my relatives or friends to hire a maid,” she said.

In Imo State, residents said insecurity has significantly reduced people’s willingness to employ domestic workers.

A resident, Ndubuisi Nwosu, noted that unlike in the past when families could easily hire helpers from different parts of the country, many households are now reluctant because of security fears.

“The level of insecurity in the country has made it difficult for people to hire domestic maids because you do not know who to trust anymore.

Some kidnappers and armed robbers disguise themselves as domestic workers, and before you realise it, the damage has already been done,” he said.

Nwosu added that he now prefers relying on family members rather than employing strangers, while urging the government to strengthen security across the country.

“The situation is worrisome. The government should put mechanisms in place to address it,” he added.

In Ekiti State, residents said the few elites who still engage domestic workers are beginning to rethink the practice because of rising insecurity.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, Mrs Yemisi Aluko recalled how her parents once employed a trusted house help from their hometown to care for her and her siblings because of their demanding work schedules.

“The housemaid did almost everything for us then because my parents left home early and returned late. Her family was known to my parents, so there was nothing to fear at the time,” she said.

She, however, noted that the situation has changed significantly.

“Most housemaids can no longer be trusted because some are now linked to stealing, abuse of children and conniving with criminals to harm members of the family,” she said.

Another resident, Mr Olatunji Idowu, said even people who previously brought relatives into their homes for assistance now avoid doing so because of fear.

“At this point, it is no longer safe to engage just anyone as house help when even security agencies are struggling to identify those behind many crimes in the country,” he stated.

In Cross River State, many residents said domestic maids are still widely used despite growing caution among employers.

A resident of Calabar Municipality, Mrs Uduak Nelson, said many households still rely on domestic workers for childcare and household chores because of demanding work schedules and the high cost of formal childcare services.

According to her, the major difference now is that trust levels have declined significantly.

“Many employers now prefer referrals from churches, relatives or trusted recruitment agencies instead of hiring through informal channels,” she explained.

Another resident, Miss Atim Ikpeme, said increasing cases of kidnapping and burglary have made residents more careful in employing domestic workers.

She disclosed that some families now conduct background checks, demand valid identification documents and even involve community leaders and police officers in the verification process before employing anyone.

“The maid working with me currently was employed only after community leaders and a police officer verified her identity,” she said.

Ikpeme added that fear of insecurity has also increased the preference for day-only maids who return to their homes after work hours.

Also speaking, a resident of State Housing Estate, Mr Linus Ephraim, said economic hardship has sustained demand for domestic help among some middle-income families, although many households now prefer employing older women or trusted relatives from within their communities.

He further revealed that some communities have created WhatsApp groups to help families screen prospective domestic workers before engaging them.

“By doing so, families can avoid falling into the trap of employing bad housemaids,” he said.