Nigerian Engineer Says Nationality Cost Him $260,000 CTO Role

A Nigerian software engineer, Ridwan Akinfenwa, has recounted how he lost a $260,000-per-year Chief Technology Officer (CTO) role after the hiring company abruptly terminated his offer because of restrictions tied to his nationality.

Akinfenwa shared the experience in a widely circulated LinkedIn post on Sunday, describing it as a painful professional setback and a stark reminder of the barriers many African professionals continue to face in the global technology sector.

From Milestone to Setback: According to Akinfenwa, the CTO role marked a career-defining achievement after years of building his credentials in software engineering. The job came with a salary package worth over $260,000, including bonuses — one of the most lucrative positions he had ever secured.

But within weeks of accepting the offer, he received a termination email. The company informed him that, following compliance checks, it could not proceed with his employment because its regulations barred the hiring of Nigerian nationals.

“This decision came without prior indication, leaving me blindsided and emotionally drained,” he wrote, adding that attempts to seek clarification only confirmed the restrictions were linked to government regulations outside the company’s control.

A Pattern of Discrimination: Akinfenwa said this was not an isolated incident. In recent years, he has lost count of the number of international opportunities that have slipped away simply because of his passport.

“This year alone, I’ve encountered multiple instances where my nationality has cost me significant career advancements,” he noted.

His story has resonated widely with other professionals from Nigeria and Africa, many of whom face similar hurdles in global recruitment processes.

Why Nigerians Face These Restrictions: Analysts say several international companies and financial institutions impose limitations on employing Nigerians and nationals of other countries flagged for compliance risks. These restrictions are often tied to concerns over money laundering, terrorism financing, sanctions, and regulatory compliance requirements.

For instance, some multinational firms face restrictions from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or European Union directives, which can complicate their ability to hire staff from countries deemed “high-risk.” Even where such regulations do not explicitly ban Nigerian workers, companies may adopt overly cautious policies to avoid legal and financial exposure.

According to immigration experts, this results in a form of “passport privilege,” where individuals from certain countries enjoy unrestricted access to jobs and opportunities, while others are routinely excluded.

The Broader Impact on Africa’s Tech Talent: Nigeria is Africa’s largest source of tech talent, with thousands of highly skilled engineers working remotely for international firms. Yet, Akinfenwa’s case highlights the invisible barriers that still limit Africans from fully participating in the global digital economy.

Despite Nigeria’s booming startup ecosystem — home to four “unicorns” valued at over $1 billion each — its professionals often struggle to secure senior roles in foreign firms, not because of skills, but because of nationality-based restrictions.

“This is particularly ironic for an industry that prides itself on inclusivity, innovation, and breaking down borders,” said a Lagos-based tech recruiter

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