When Bias Meets Ambition: My Sudden Move to Nigeria

Have you ever felt overlooked… even when you were the perfect candidate?

I’m 30, I just had my first baby, and less than six months after joining my dream company in Dubai, HR told me I had to move to Nigeria , immediately.

No apology. No support. No guidance. Just: “Go.”

From Excitement to Shock

When I accepted the role, the plan was to stay in Dubai for a year. I had started building a life there, settling in, and working on strategy, making a real impact.

And suddenly, everything changed. They knew I had just left P & G. They knew I couldn’t easily walk away.

And they assumed I would simply comply.

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The HR Meeting

Then came the discussion about my package. Same salary as Dubai. No benefits. Nothing to acknowledge the personal and professional stretch of moving countries.

I asked questions. I pushed. And the answer made it clear: assumptions were being made because of my skin color.

If I were white? No question. The package would have been fair, competitive, and supportive.

It hurt. Deeply.

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Turning Pain Into Power

I had a choice: focus on the unfairness or on what I could control. I delivered results, proved my value, and renegotiated.

I was lucky, my boss saw me, recognized the bias, and adjusted my package and title. That validation changed everything. It motivated me to give my absolute best.

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Lessons for You

1. Bias exists , even with great offers. Always check your package, ask questions, and compare.

2. Do your research, talk to peers, know industry standards, and share openly.

3. Negotiate your value ,show results, evidence, and benchmarks.

4. If it’s still unfair, explore your options , find a company that values your skills.

Your skills, experience, and value are real. Don’t let bias make you settle for less.

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