I Moved My Food Business to Dubai. Now I’m Trapped With ₦45m Debt and a Travel Ban

I moved from Lagos to Dubai in 2020 to grow my Nigerian food business. After surviving the COVID-19 lockdown and building a loyal customer base, I invested my savings and an investor’s funds in a cloud kitchen. The business struggled after visa restrictions reduced my customer base. I also faced theft, pest problems and poor management at the facility. When the kitchen shut me out, the landlord later sued me over unpaid rent and utilities. A Dubai court ordered me to pay about 123,900 dirhams, roughly ₦45 million. My accounts were blocked, I received a travel ban and an arrest warrant, and I can no longer move around freely or renew my visa. I am now stranded in Dubai with my young daughter and urgently need a way forward.

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