Microsoft affirms that it is still operating in Nigeria despite the report of closing down its Africa Development Centre. 

Microsoft Nigeria Managing Director Olatomiwa Williams made this known on Monday when he visited Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. He stated that the multinational technology giant hopes to collaborate with the federal government in areas of shared interest like cyber security and youth upskilling.

Read also: Microsoft Launches Build-With-AI For AI Startup Founders

Nigeria assured Microsoft of Smooth Working Collaboration 

Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy pledged to the tech giant that the government will establish a business-friendly atmosphere that will encourage international corporations to increase their investments in the nation to support the growth and development of the country’s economy.

Mohammed Manga, the Federal Ministry of Finance’s Director of Information and Public Relations, stated in a statement that the Minister praised Microsoft’s dedication to Nigeria and emphasised the administration’s recognition of the strategic significance of industry leaders like Microsoft.

According to him, the meeting is a major step toward the Federal Government and multinational technology businesses working together to promote innovation and economic development in Nigeria.

About the closed Microsoft Centre 

Microsoft reportedly let go of employees at the Africa Development Centre (ADC) in Lagos on May 8.

However, Temitope Ajayi, President Bola Tinubu’s senior special assistant for media and publicity, said that Microsoft is still doing business in Nigeria despite closing down its developmental centre. 

Ajayi stated that the organisation was “re-aligning roles” inside its business and that “few roles will certainly be impacted,” but that the shutdown was the result of an “incorrect media report.”

“The story that Microsoft is closing its Nigerian office is untrue,” stated Ajayi. The Africa Development Center is but one division of Microsoft’s Nigerian operations. The Africa Development Center is also not closing, despite false media rumours. 

Read also: Microsoft Invests $70M in South African economy

Like any other organisation, Microsoft is just realigning positions inside the company, and only a small number of roles will undoubtedly be affected. As is customary within the company, affected employees under 30 will be asked to apply for new positions within Microsoft. 

Employees “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,” the presidential aide continued. 

Recall that in May 2019, Microsoft announced that it was opening the Africa Development Center (ADC) in Nigeria and Kenya. The centre’s goal is to develop cutting-edge technologies that will benefit not only Africa but the entire world. The company then announced that it would invest $100 million in the first five years of operation and was looking for bright engineers to work on Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Mixed Reality.