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Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu has dismissed media reports alleging the closure of Microsoft's Africa Development Centre in Lagos.
Ajayi in a Tweet on Thursday clarified that Microsoft is "re-aligning roles" within its business, with a limited impact on staff.
The statement came in response to a tweet by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who expressed concern about the reported shutdown, calling it a sign of the need for economic reform.
Obi's tweet read: "The recent announcement of Microsoft Nigeria to its workers about shutting down its innovation centre in Lagos and cutting 200 jobs is deeply troubling. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive economic reforms in Nigeria."
Ajayi countered Obi's assessment, stating: "The story that Microsoft is shutting down its Nigeria office is not true. Africa Development Centre is just a department within Microsoft business in Nigeria. Contrary to incorrect media reports and Peter Obi’s naked dance, the Africa Development Centre is also not shutting down."
He further explained: "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.”
The presidential aide concluded by criticizing Obi's characterization of the situation, saying: “The situation at Microsoft is not anywhere near the impression of the ‘earthquake’ that Peter Obi sensationally described.”
