Nigerian software engineer Ridwan Akinfenwa has revealed he lost a Chief Technology Officer role worth over $260,000 annually after the hiring company cited restrictions against employing Nigerian nationals.
Akinfenwa, who shared his experience on LinkedIn, said he had signed the contract just a month earlier and saw the position as a career milestone. However, he received a termination email stating that further compliance checks uncovered regulatory constraints barring the organization from working with Nigerian professionals.
“The decision came without prior indication, leaving me blindsided and emotionally drained,” he wrote. Akinfenwa added that this was not an isolated incident, noting that he has faced multiple setbacks this year linked to his nationality.
Here’s his full post:
NIGERIA HAPPENED TO ME AS A SENIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER😢
Today, I find myself grappling with a deeply disheartening experience in my professional journey, one that I feel compelled to share with my LinkedIn network. 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.
This role was a significant milestone, reflecting years of hard work, technical expertise, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the tech industry. The contract was signed with enthusiasm just last month, marking what I believed was a turning point in my career. However, that optimism was short-lived.
Today, I received a termination email that shattered my hopes. The message cited further compliance checks, revealing that the organization could no longer work with Nigerian nationals due to regulatory constraints. This decision came without prior indication, leaving me blindsided and emotionally drained.
The loss of this opportunity isn’t an isolated incident, 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 sting of this experience is profound.
As a Nigerian professional, I’ve poured my energy into building a robust skill set, contributing to innovative projects, and networking globally. Yet, despite my qualifications and the contract I signed in good faith, I find myself excluded due to factors beyond my control. The email exchange that followed was a mix of frustration and resignation, my attempt to negotiate or seek clarity met with an apology acknowledging the decision was driven by external regulations, specifically from a government entity, leaving no room for recourse.
This situation has left me reflecting on the broader challenges faced by Nigerian and other African professionals in the global tech space. 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.
I’m sharing this not just to vent but to connect with my network. Have you faced similar hurdles? How did you push through? Are there organizations or communities advocating for fair opportunities for international talent? Your insights, support, or even a simple word of encouragement would mean the world to me as I process this setback and plan my next steps.