Nigerian software engineer, Ridwan Akinfenwa, has narrated how he lost a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) role “worth over $260,000 per year because of his nationality.”
In a LinkedIn post on Sunday that started trending on Tuesday, Akinfenwa said, “Today, I find myself grappling with a deeply disheartening experience in my professional journey. As a Senior Software Engineer with a solid educational and technical foundation, I recently secured a CTO position that offered a salary of up to $260,000+ per year including bonuses.”
However, his optimism was cut short when he received a termination email from the company “citing compliance regulations.”
He said, “Today, I received a termination email that shattered my hopes. The message cited further compliance checks, revealing that the organisation could no longer work with Nigerian nationals due to regulatory constraints. This decision came without prior indication, leaving me blindsided and emotionally drained.”
Akinfenwa explained that this was not an isolated case, as he confessed it had occurred frequently, costing him job opportunities.
He added, “This year alone, I’ve encountered multiple instances where my nationality has cost me significant career advancements, to the point where I’ve lost count of the setbacks.”
The engineer said his attempt to seek clarification after the termination was met with a response that the decision was “tied to government regulations.”
He stated, “The email exchange that followed was a mix of frustration and resignation, my attempt to negotiate or seek clarity was met with an apology acknowledging the decision was driven by external regulations, specifically from a government entity, leaving no room for recourse.”
Akinfenwa said the development forced him to reflect on the struggles of Nigerian and African professionals in the international tech industry.
He wrote, “It’s a stark reminder of the invisible barriers that persist, even in an industry that prides itself on innovation and inclusivity. I’m left wondering how to navigate this landscape, whether relocating is the only viable path forward or if there are strategies to overcome such nationality-based exclusions.”
He shared his experience not only to vent but also to seek “support and advice from his professional network.”
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