Social media have been crammed with angry outbursts after Dubai recruitment firms excluded Nigerians from latest job openings posted online.
In a vacancy posted three days ago, a firm, Shirley Recruitment Consultants, said it was seeking merchandisers.
Part of the requirements for the full-time job is that the applicant should be an African, but not Nigerian.
An email believed to have been sent by the firm to a Nigerian applicant was made public on social media.
The email read: “…Thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately your visa application has been rejected as Nigerian passport holders are not permitted to obtain a tourism visa to the UAE in the meantime. However, this may change at any time as the permitted nationalities are updated frequently.”
Many on social media believe the move may be connected to the recent arrest of suspected fraudster, Ramon Abbas, better known as Hushpuppi, by the Dubai police for international fraud running into millions of dollars.
“Nigerians, inclusive of leaders and citizens, have trampled on the image of the country. If only Nigerians know how Nigeria and Nigerians are perceived abroad, then Nigerians will not be quick to praise internet fraudsters,” candyguyofficial wrote in an online community, Nairaland.
“Lately our image across the world has been terrible. A country where the anti-corruption boss was detained for being corrupt,” another member, Valves, wrote.