Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is reducing its office space in Lagos, Nigeria. This move is part of Meta’s broader strategy to adapt to new work patterns and optimize real estate costs. The company is renegotiating its tenancy agreement at the Kings Tower building in Ikoyi, Lagos, and transitioning to desk sharing for employees who spend limited time in the office. Meta stated that it regularly reviews its office space to ensure it meets the needs of the business, including its Nigerian office.
Recently, Meta laid off around 35 employees in Nigeria, including its engineering team of up to 24 members. This follows a global trend within Meta, which saw up to 4,000 technical employees laid off in April 2023. Despite these layoffs, Meta’s engineering needs in the region are supported by several global hubs outside Nigeria.
These layoffs are part of broader workforce reductions announced by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in 2022, with 10,000 jobs cut to streamline operations. However, Meta emphasized that the office space reduction and layoffs do not affect its ongoing investment in Nigeria. The company remains committed to Nigeria and is making focused investments to support its long-term priorities in the region.
Similarly, Microsoft announced the closure of its engineering team at the Microsoft Africa Development Centre (ADC) in Lagos in May 2024. This closure did not impact the operations of Microsoft Nigeria, which focuses on product and service sales, marketing, and support.
During a recent visit to Nigeria, Nick Clegg, Meta’s President of Global Affairs, reiterated Meta’s commitment to the country. He highlighted new features released in June 2024 that allow Nigerian content creators to monetize their content, enhancing their opportunities on Meta’s platforms.
Meta’s decision to reduce its office space in Lagos reflects a broader trend in the tech industry of optimizing real estate costs and adapting to hybrid work models. Despite the workforce adjustments, Meta remains committed to its strategic investments in Nigeria, ensuring continued support for its long-term priorities in the region.
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