Some traders at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex have staged a protest against the alleged involvement of Chinese nationals in retail trading, saying the development is threatening the survival of local businesses.
The protest took place at some markets within the Trade Fair Complex along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, with videos showing traders carrying placards with messages including “Chinese must go,” “They should go far from our market environment and not be taking our customers,” and “This is a peaceful protest.”
In one of the videos, a trader said the protesters were opposed to Chinese vendors selling directly to Nigerian customers. According to him, many Chinese nationals initially came into the country for wholesale trading but have since expanded into retail.
He alleged that their ability to import goods directly from China gives them an advantage over local traders, allowing them to sell at lower prices and attract customers.
The trader also claimed that some Chinese vendors copy the numbers of customers belonging to local traders whenever they send waybills, allegedly enabling them to target the same customers directly.
He stressed that the protest was peaceful and that the traders had no intention of attacking Chinese nationals or destroying their shops, warehouses or properties.
According to him, the relationship between Nigerians and Chinese nationals remains important, but he argued that foreign traders should not take over businesses traditionally operated by Nigerians.
He warned that if the situation continues, many local traders could lose their businesses within the next five years.
The protest has generated mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians backing the traders’ concerns over competition while others argued that businesses should improve their competitiveness instead of demanding that foreign traders leave.
@tope.ibidapo: Nope! They wont stop. Thats the essence of competition. Your companies too should merge to have enough capacity to stand the competition. At the end of the day, it is good for the Nigerian people. Things will become cheaper
@happy.musa: Very funny people, are the lagosians complaining?
@olatunji.ibrahimovic: Since I saw that sinomart store, I know there would be alot of problem for our ibo traders, if u sell to us at normal or fair price … Trust me naija will surely buy from naija…
@adedayoq1: Is Lagos Anambra?
@Olaitan86: One visitor is asking the one to leave, lol.
@dollarpo.dollarpo: I thought the Igbos said if them leave Lagos State, Yoruba people go suffer 🤣 but na them dey suffer now with protest.
It will be better if all Igbos can move all their businesses to the Sad East 😂
@emmanuel.chinda.378: But what about those Igbo men that are doing business in china an other foreign countries?
@Tales & Twists Haven: The sky is big enough for everyone. My issue with most traders is they always hike prices and blame it on economy.
If Chinese will sell at a better price, then it’s a win for consumers because our people will also have no choice than to cut down their own price.
@ebenezer.chi: Something dey worry them
Go to where
It’s either they buy from them or look for ways to pay them to be producing it here
@odunayo.daud.9: When Una to wan make gain pass why won’t Dey buy from china
@adriangraphics.111: No just pass your boundary where Lagos and Federal government dey ohhh….no go pass your boundaries ooo.
@edyfame.edwin: Very funny people! They weren’t informed sell them don sell the CornTree to China😏😂😂
@fadilatsheikh: If Chinese send all your brothers out of their town in China. 🤣
@Rose Jesmine: They should join together to make Aba great, there are many companies that need funds to expand.
@bashiru.emiloju: That protest will not hold water 💦
