Contrary to several local reports, Microsoft has not shut down its African Development Center (ADC) in Nigeria. According to a Microsoft spokesperson, the Lagos facility is still operational.

During a call with Techpoint Africa, the spokesperson clarified that while the engineering team at the African Development Center in Lagos has been let go, the Microsoft office in Nigeria remains operational.

Although the exact reasons for the changes are not specified, the company said, "Organisational and workforce adjustments are a necessary and regular part of managing our business. We will continue to prioritise and invest in strategic growth areas for our future and in support of our customers and partners.”

It's worth noting that Microsoft has been implementing workforce adjustments and organisational changes since 2023 to align with global market conditions and meet customer needs.

In July 2023, the tech giant initiated layoffs, supplementing the 10,000 job reductions announced earlier in January of that year. Microsoft's continuous drive to streamline its operations and concentrate on strategic growth sectors necessitated these workforce changes.

Microsoft set up its African Development Center in Lagos, Nigeria, and Nairobi, Kenya, in 2019 to expand its engineering talent pool, focus on student and community engagements, and invest in Microsoft programmes.

The company emphasised its commitment to training, equipping, and hiring engineering talent in Nigeria and West Africa. These efforts were aimed at helping to develop Microsoft products that are used by over 1 billion devices, empowering millions of users and organisations globally to achieve more.

However, despite operating for five years, employing at least 120 engineers and more than 200 total staff members, the company has decided to part ways with the engineering team.

Meanwhile, local news reported that affected employees are set to receive salary payments until June 2024 and will still be covered by health insurance.

As Microsoft lays off the engineering team, the future of its African Development Center in Lagos hangs in the balance. With the core team gone, questions arise about the facility's continuation.

Speculation is rife about whether Microsoft will shutter its operations in Nigeria or consider AI-driven alternatives. However, indications point to the former, particularly in light of recent developments. On May 7, 2024, Microsoft’s Xbox announced plans to close several gaming studios, including the renowned Arkane Austin.

While the reasons for this decision remain unclear, it reflects broader economic challenges, such as foreign exchange concerns and unfavourable economic conditions, resulting in the closure of several international businesses across Nigeria.

https://techpoint.africa/2024/05/08/microsoft-adc-layoff-engineering-team-lagos/

From Reuters, 7th May, 2024:

Microsoft's Xbox shuts multiple studios, consolidates teams in cost-cutting move

May 7 (Reuters) - Microsoft's (MSFT.O), opens new tab Xbox is shutting down a number of gaming studios including Arkane Austin, making it the latest publisher to shut down studios amid signs of a gaming slowdown.

Studios such as "Hi-Fi Rush" maker Tango Gameworks, headquartered in Tokyo, and Canada-based Alpha Dog will also be closed and some employees will be laid off, Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios said in a memo that was seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

Xbox declined to comment when asked about the number of employees impacted by the layoffs.
Growth in personal computing and console gaming is expected to remain below pre-pandemic levels as gamers record fewer hours of playtime owing to weaker release schedules, data from research firm Newzoo showed.

The "reprioritization of titles and resources" is so that Xbox can invest deeply into its portfolio of games and new intellectual property, according to Booty.

All the affected studios are units of ZeniMax Media, which was acquired by Microsoft for $7.5 billion in 2021, and Bethesda.

Microsoft's Xbox content and services segment reported a 62% jump in third-quarter revenue last month, largely driven by the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

"Grand Theft Auto" maker Take-Two Interactive (TTWO.O), opens new tab said it would shut down two subsidiary studios as part of a mass layoff, Bloomberg News reported last week.

Microsoft previously laid off 1,900 employees at Activision and Xbox at the start of the year. Some developers from Arkane Austin will join other studios and work on projects across Bethesda, the creator of "The Elder Scrolls" and "Fallout" titles.
Servers of the game "Redfall", made by Arkane, will continue to remain online for players.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/microsofts-xbox-shuts-multiple-studios-consolidates-teams-cost-cutting-move-2024-05-07/

Kusu12:
Obirodent miscreants will disagree as usual since they are allergic to good news. Losers!

usecondom:
A lot of Nigerians actually want the country to fail. It's sad.

richeeyo:

It's world wide, stop talking trash

Konquest:

A lot of global downsizing is going on in the Tech space to maximize returns for investors, so this isn't new.

The relentless propaganda and fake news going on about the complete shutdown of Microsoft operations in Nigeria must be dealt with accordingly by bringing those responsible for manipulating the original story of the layoff of the Microsoft Engineering staff to justice. It has become common for a group of well-known disgruntled people to use half-truths and fabricated news to mislead the public so as to taunt those in government.

Goodvibes007:
World economy is slowing down as central and reserve banks tightening policy begins to bite. ADC in Kenya got their own boot sometime last year.

adamusuleiman1:
Contrary to several local reports, Microsoft has not shut down its African Development Center (ADC) in Nigeria. According to a Microsoft spokesperson, the Lagos facility is still operational.

During a call with Techpoint Africa, the spokesperson clarified that while the engineering team at the African Development Center in Lagos has been let go, the Microsoft office in Nigeria remains operational.

Although the exact reasons for the changes are not specified, the company said, "Organisational and workforce adjustments are a necessary and regular part of managing our business. We will continue to prioritise and invest in strategic growth areas for our future and in support of our customers and partners.”

It's worth noting that Microsoft has been implementing workforce adjustments and organisational changes since 2023 to align with global market conditions and meet customer needs.

In July 2023, the tech giant initiated layoffs, supplementing the 10,000 job reductions announced earlier in January of that year. Microsoft's continuous drive to streamline its operations and concentrate on strategic growth sectors necessitated these workforce changes.

Microsoft set up its African Development Center in Lagos, Nigeria, and Nairobi, Kenya, in 2019 to expand its engineering talent pool, focus on student and community engagements, and invest in Microsoft programmes.

The company emphasised its commitment to training, equipping, and hiring engineering talent in Nigeria and West Africa. These efforts were aimed at helping to develop Microsoft products that are used by over 1 billion devices, empowering millions of users and organisations globally to achieve more.

However, despite operating for five years, employing at least 120 engineers and more than 200 total staff members, the company has decided to part ways with the engineering team.

Meanwhile, local news reported that affected employees are set to receive salary payments until June 2024 and will still be covered by health insurance.

As Microsoft lays off the engineering team, the future of its African Development Center in Lagos hangs in the balance. With the core team gone, questions arise about the facility's continuation.

Speculation is rife about whether Microsoft will shutter its operations in Nigeria or consider AI-driven alternatives. However, indications point to the former, particularly in light of recent developments. On May 7, 2024, Microsoft’s Xbox announced plans to close several gaming studios, including the renowned Arkane Austin.

While the reasons for this decision remain unclear, it reflects broader economic challenges, such as foreign exchange concerns and unfavourable economic conditions, resulting in the closure of several international businesses across Nigeria.

https://techpoint.africa/2024/05/08/microsoft-adc-layoff-engineering-team-lagos/

Racoon:
Now, the downsizing of its work force is obviously due to the present emerging economic realities which have made it unfavourable for businesses to thrive. Microsoft is technically shutting down operations.

Racoon:
Now, the downsizing of its work force is obviously due to the present emerging economic realities which have made it unfavourable for businesses to thrive. Microsoft is technically shutting down operations.

Mystic216:
You don’t expect them to blatantly tell you they are shutting down, they will shut down some key points of their operations and let the basic ones to continue running just to save the FG from embarrassment they are into already

1 year after inauguration, this man is yet to attract any foreign investment despite the whole ‘Ajala the traveler’ character he is exhibiting , rather, already existing ones are shutting down. And he think propaganda will always save him. This is 2024. People are wise now except APC supporters

APC and their supporters are the true enemies of this country

Goodvibes007:
World economy is slowing down as central and reserve banks tightening policy begins to bite. ADC in Kenya got their own boot sometime last year.

jmoore:
If your father was among those sacked by Microsoft, would you like it?

Layoff or closure, some people lost their jobs.

adamusuleiman1:
...