Some traders in Lagos have staged a protest against Chinese nationals’ alleged involvement in retail trading, saying the development threatens the survival of local businesses in the state.
The protest was held at some markets within the Lagos trade
fair complex along the Lagos-Badagry expressway.
Videos of the protest circulating on social media showed the
traders carrying placards with inscriptions such as “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 their customers.
The trader said Chinese nationals initially came to Nigeria
to engage in wholesale trade but have now expanded into retail, giving them an
advantage over local traders through their resources and connections that allow
them to import products directly from China.
The trader said the protest was peaceful, adding that the
traders had no intention of attacking Chinese nationals or destroying their
shops, warehouses or other property.
“If any of us spoils anything here, the person will pay for
it. We are not saying we are going to beat the Chinese or spoil their
warehouse,” the trader said in Igbo.
“What we are saying is that the personal relationship
between us and the Chinese is important to us, but they should not do our
business.
“They came and built warehouses, rented shops and are now
selling as we do as retailers. If we send a waybill, they copy the customer’s
number. We no longer make sales.
“If you import goods, they slash their prices lower than our
own and sell to our customers. Is this how we would continue? Our forefathers,
who did this business before us, was this how they did it? If this continues,
five years from now, your shop will be taken away from you.”
Igbo traders in Lagos staged a protest today in the market to stop Chinese people from selling their products as retailers just like them in market!!!! pic.twitter.com/e9C5oXqb1r
— Chief Ikukuoma (@IkukuomaC) September 14, 2026
The protest comes in the wake of xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in some African countries, particularly South Africa, where foreign-owned businesses have been targeted and immigrants killed.
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