A Nigerian tech professional has taken to social media to express his heartbreak after losing a job worth over N400 million per year simply because of his nationality.
The software engineer, identified as Ridwan Akinfenwa, shared his ordeal in a lengthy LinkedIn post. According to him, he was offered a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) role with an annual package exceeding $260,000 (over N400 million), including bonuses. He revealed that the contract had only been signed last month.
However, his joy was short-lived. Akinfenwa disclosed that the organization later terminated the contract after confirming that he is Nigerian.
โNIGERIA HAPPENED TO ME AS A SENIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER ๐ข,โ he wrote.
In his emotional post, Ridwan explained that his optimism turned into despair when he received an abrupt termination email. The message cited compliance issues, with the company stating it could no longer employ Nigerian nationals due to regulatory restrictions.
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He noted that this was not an isolated case, as he has faced several career setbacks this year alone because of his nationality.
โDespite my qualifications and the contract I signed in good faith, I find myself excluded due to factors beyond my control,โ he said, adding that his attempts to negotiate or seek clarity were met with an apology and no room for reconsideration.
The engineer described the experience as deeply disheartening, stressing that it highlights the hidden barriers many Nigerian and African professionals face in the global tech industry. He also asked fellow professionals if they had encountered similar challenges and how they managed to navigate them.
Ridwanโs story has since sparked conversations online about discrimination, inclusivity, and the struggles faced by Nigerian talent in the international job market.