‘Chinese Must Stop Retail Trading in Our Markets’ - Lagos Traders Stage Protest at Trade Fair

Some traders at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex have staged a protest over the alleged involvement of Chinese nationals in retail trading, accusing them of taking customers away from Nigerian businesses.

The protest took place at markets within the Trade Fair Complex along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, with videos from the demonstration showing traders carrying placards with messages including “Chinese must go” and “They should go far from our market environment and not be taking our customers.”  

According to the protesters, their major concern is that some Chinese nationals who initially operated mainly as wholesalers have allegedly moved into direct retail trading. One of the traders explained that this puts Nigerian retailers at a disadvantage because Chinese businesses can allegedly import goods directly from manufacturers in China and sell them at prices local traders struggle to match. The trader also alleged that some Chinese vendors have rented shops and built warehouses within the market, allowing them to compete directly with Nigerian retailers.

He further claimed that some Chinese traders allegedly obtain customers’ phone numbers from waybills and contact them directly, describing the situation as a major threat to local businesses. However, the protesters stressed that their demonstration was peaceful and that they were not calling for attacks on Chinese nationals or the destruction of their shops, warehouses or property.

“We are not saying we are going to beat the Chinese or spoil their warehouse,” one trader said, while insisting that Nigerian traders simply want foreign nationals to stop taking over retail activities. The protesters also argued that their relationship with Chinese businesspeople remains important, but said they believe there should be clear boundaries between wholesale and retail trading.

“If this continues, five years from now, your shop will be taken away from you,” the trader warned, expressing fears that local businesses could eventually become unable to survive.

The protest has since sparked a wider debate over foreign participation in Nigeria’s retail sector, competition and consumer prices. While some observers have sympathised with the traders’ concerns about protecting local businesses, others argue that consumers should be allowed to patronise businesses offering cheaper goods.