Tension rose at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Tuesday after a group of Igbo traders staged a protest over the growing presence of Chinese traders within the complex.
The placard wielding protesters demandes that the Chinese be made to leave the Trade Fair, alleging that their ability to sell imported goods at cheaper prices was putting their own businesses under pressure.
The traders complained that Chinese merchants have been selling similar products at prices they cannot match, making it increasingly difficult for Nigerian retailers and wholesalers to compete.
According to the protesters, local traders bear several costs, including shop rents, transportation, customs duties, levies, taxes and other operational expenses, while direct access to manufacturers and bulk purchasing arrangements gives the Chinese traders a significant price advantage.
They argued that allowing foreign traders to operate directly in the retail market could undermine Nigerian-owned businesses and worsen unemployment if local traders are eventually forced out of business.
The protesters therefore called on the Federal Government and relevant authorities to enforce existing regulations governing the participation of foreign nationals in Nigeria’s domestic trading sector.
They also appealed to the Lagos State Government and the management of the Trade Fair Complex to intervene in the dispute and protect the interests of Nigerian traders.
The video of the protest ahs also gone viral, attracting various responses from Nigerians – with a majority appearing to warn against acts of intolerance against the Chinese traders.
“Nigerians are also eking out living in other countries, including in China. How could we suddenly wake up and start a campaign of removal against law abiding Chinese traders,” One commentator named Ayo said on Facebook.
“We condemned xenophobia in. South Africa and now these traders want to start a similar thing in Lagos. That would not be possible,” said another commenter named Tadese.
The development has again brought attention to the debate over the role of foreign nationals in Nigeria’s retail and wholesale markets.
