Traders protest alleged Chinese retail trading at Lagos Trade Fair Complex

Traders at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex protested against the alleged involvement of some Chinese nationals in retail trading, saying the practice was affecting their businesses.

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The traders, on Monday, gathered at markets within the complex along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway with placards, some of which read, “Chinese must go” and “They should go far from our market environment and not be taking our customers.”

Videos of the protest shared on X by Chief Ikukuoma (@IkukuomaC) showed the traders chanting and displaying the placards.

In one of the videos, a trader speaking in Igbo said the traders were protesting against Chinese nationals who, according to him, came into the country to operate as wholesalers but had started selling directly to consumers.

He stated that this was making it difficult for Nigerian retailers to compete because the Chinese businesses could buy directly from manufacturers and suppliers in China.

“We no longer make sales. If you import goods, they slash their prices lower than our own and sell to our customers,” he said.

The trader alleged that some Chinese businesses had rented shops and built warehouses within the complex, where they sold goods directly to consumers.

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He also alleged that some of the businesses obtained customers’ telephone numbers from waybills and contacted them to sell their goods.

The protesters explained that they were not calling for attacks on Chinese nationals or the destruction of their businesses.

“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.

He stressed that Nigerian traders had maintained good relationships with Chinese business owners but objected to their alleged involvement in retail trading.

“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,” he said.

The trader warned that Nigerian retailers could lose their businesses if the situation continued.

“If this continues, five years from now, your shop will be taken away from you,” he stated.

Reactions

The protest has also drawn different reactions on social media.

Olugbenga Michael, in a Facebook post, called on the Lagos State Government to intervene, saying Chinese traders should not be allowed to engage in activities that could hurt Nigerian businesses.

He also warned that the situation should not make Nigeria appear hostile to foreigners.

But another Facebook page, Somolutogether, criticised the protesters and argued that consumers were benefiting from the lower prices offered by Chinese traders.

The page questioned the traders’ opposition to Chinese retailers, saying consumers had a right to patronise businesses offering cheaper goods.

The allegations made by the protesters could not be independently verified.

Chinese traders or their representatives had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.

Similar situation in Kenya

The protest came less than two weeks after the involvement of foreigners in small and medium scale businesses in Kenya attracted a dramatic action from the country’s government.

On 2 September, Kenya President William Ruto, ordered the shutdown of small retail shops owned by foreigners in the east African country.

Mr Ruto directed the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry to begin enforcement action against foreigners engaged in local trading and hawking 7 September.

The president said the directive was based on the need to protect local Kenyan traders and ensure that businesses reserved for citizens are not affected by unfair competition.

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As of the time the president issued the directive, there was a bill before Kenyan parliament targeting foreign participation in certain small-scale businesses. The Local Content Bill introduced in 2025 sought to increase Kenyans’ participation in economic activities and provide greater opportunities for local businesses and citizens.

The bill also proposed sourcing at least 60 per cent of goods, services, and supplies locally where they meet the required standards.

But the president said the government would not wait for the parliament to pass proposed legislation before taking administrative measures to address the issue.

‎”All those traders and hawkers doing these small businesses should close down,” Mr Ruto said, adding, “From next week, all traders doing those small businesses should close them.”