Ridwan Akinfenwa loses CTO job worth $260k yearly after firm cut ties, citing compliance rules against Nigerian nationals

Ridwan Akinfenwa Loses CTO Job after securing what he described as the biggest milestone of his tech career, only to see it slip away because of his Nigerian nationality.

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Akinfenwa, a Nigerian software engineer, revealed on LinkedIn that he signed a contract for a Chief Technology Officer role last month, with a package exceeding $260,000 per year. He described the opportunity as a breakthrough after years of hard work in the global technology industry.

However, his optimism was crushed when he received a termination email from the company, citing compliance checks. The firm stated that it could no longer employ Nigerian nationals due to regulatory restrictions.

“This decision came without prior indication, leaving me blindsided and emotionally drained,” Akinfenwa wrote in his post, which began trending on Tuesday.

He disclosed that this was not an isolated incident, noting that multiple international job opportunities had slipped away this year alone for the same reason — his nationality.

Attempts to seek clarification after the termination email yielded no positive outcome. According to him, the company apologized but explained that government regulations left them no choice.

The software engineer said the experience pushed him to reflect on the invisible barriers facing Nigerian and African professionals in global tech.

“It’s a stark reminder of the invisible barriers that persist, even in an industry that prides itself on innovation and inclusivity,” he said.

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Akinfenwa admitted he is now considering whether relocation or other strategies might help him navigate such nationality-based exclusions. He shared his story not only to vent but also to seek guidance and support from his professional network.