Peter Obi, a prominent Nigerian politician and former governor of Anambra State, has reacted to the reports of Microsoft allegedly shutting down its operations in Nigeria. The news of Microsoft’s purported shutdown in Nigeria was met with concern and criticism from various quarters, including political figures like Peter Obi.
According to the reports, Microsoft Nigeria issued a communication claiming that the Nigerian government’s policies were not conducive for business, leading to the American tech giant re-aligning its roles in the country. Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, a senior assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, refuted these claims and stated that there was no truth to the rumors of Microsoft shutting down its operations in Nigeria.
The confusion arose from misconceptions about Microsoft’s actions in Nigeria. While it is true that Microsoft is re-aligning its roles in the country, particularly at its Africa Development Centre (ADC) in Lagos, this does not equate to a complete shutdown of operations.
The ADC in Lagos is not being closed; rather, there are adjustments being made within the organization.It was clarified that Microsoft is not shutting down its business operations entirely in Nigeria but rather re-aligning roles within the company. The impact on employees is expected to be minimal, with fewer than 30 staff members affected by the changes. These employees will have the opportunity to apply for new roles within the company as part of the restructuring process.In response to the situation, Peter Obi emphasized that while there may be some adjustments taking place at Microsoft’s offices in Nigeria, it is not akin to a complete shutdown.
He cautioned against sensationalism and misinformation surrounding the issue and highlighted that this re-alignment of roles is a normal part of business operations and does not signify a significant upheaval.
Overall, Peter Obi’s reaction reflects a call for calm and rational assessment of the situation regarding Microsoft’s alleged shutdown in Nigeria. It underscores the importance of accurate information dissemination and avoiding unnecessary panic or speculation.
