JUST IN: Presidency Reacts to Reports Over Microsoft’s Alleged Shutdown in Nigeria
- An aide of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that it is not true that Microsoft will cease to operate in Nigeria
- Microsoft has not issued an official communication on the speculation but several claims have appeared online criticising the Nigerian government for allegedly making the country unconducive for business
- However, a presidential source said the American tech giant is only "re-aligning roles" within the business
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public journalism.
FCT, Abuja - Temitope Ajayi, the senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on media and publicity, has quashed speculations that American tech giant, Microsoft, is shutting down its operations in Nigeria.
Ajayi branded media reports that the Africa Development Centre (ADC) in Lagos will shut down as "incorrect". The ADC represents Microsoft's first-ever engineering offices in Africa.
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Ajayi also tackled Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, accusing him of sensationalism.
The presidential aide claimed that Microsoft is only re-aligning roles, and "few roles will certainly be impacted".
Ajayi wrote on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, May 9:
"The story that Microsoft is shutting down Nigeria office is not true. Africa Development Centre is just a department within Microsoft business in Nigeria.
"Contrary to incorrect media reports and @PeterObi's naked dance, the Africa Development Centre is also not shutting down."
He continued:
"Microsoft, like any other organisation, is only re-aligning roles within the business, and few roles will certainly be impacted. Affected staff, which are less than 30, will be asked to apply for new roles within Microsoft - a standard practice within the organisation.
"Those who can't find new roles in other departments or those who want to seek new opportunities outside the system will be asked to go."
Ajayi concluded:
"The situation at Microsoft is not anywhere near the impression of the 'earthquake' that Peter Obi sensationally described."
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Microsoft supports Nigerian company
Legit.ng earlier reported that Microsoft disclosed plans to support Nigeria’s Tech4Dev, a non-profit social enterprise, in employing 100,000 young Africans via Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) over the next seven years.
Microsoft’s country director, Nigeria and Ghana, Ola Williams, said that millions of people are being trained in Nigeria and other African countries yearly with no jobs after the training.
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Source: Legit.ng
