Traders in Lagos have staged a protest against the alleged involvement of Chinese nationals in retail trading, arguing the practice is undermining the survival of local businesses.
Advertisements
The demonstration took place at markets within the Lagos Trade Fair Complex along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway. Videos circulating on social media showed protesters carrying placards bearing messages such as “Chinese must go,” alongside calls for Chinese nationals to halt direct sales to retail customers.
Advertisements
One protester said Chinese nationals had originally entered the Nigerian market to engage in wholesale trading but had since expanded into retail, gaining an advantage over local traders through greater access to capital and direct supplier connections in China. He said the protest was not intended to incite violence or the destruction of Chinese-owned businesses, warehouses or shops, but was aimed solely at halting retail-level competition.
He further alleged that some Chinese vendors obtain customer details from waybills and subsequently undercut local traders by importing goods directly and selling at lower prices.
Advertisements
