Some angry Igbo traders in Lagos State have staged a protest against Chinese nationals’ alleged involvement in retail trading.
The traders said 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”.
One of the aggrieved 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.”
