Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory on Public Communications and Social Media, has criticised traders of Igbo extraction who protested against the involvement of Chinese nationals in retail trading at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex.
The traders had staged a protest at the complex, alleging that Chinese businesses were moving beyond wholesale operations into retail and selling directly to consumers. They argued that the practice was hurting Nigerian retailers by allowing the Chinese businesses to offer goods at lower prices.
Reacting to the development, Olayinka questioned the position of the protesters, particularly given the longstanding commercial relationship between Nigerian traders and Chinese manufacturers and suppliers.
He argued that Nigerian traders who travel to China to source goods should consider the implications of restricting Chinese businesses from operating in Nigeria.
The comments came after videos from the protest circulated online, showing traders carrying placards and calling for Chinese retailers to leave their markets. The protesters, however, said their objection was not to Chinese nationals living or doing business in Nigeria, but specifically to their alleged involvement in retailing within markets where Nigerian traders operate.
The traders claimed that some Chinese businesses had rented shops and established warehouses within the complex, while also selling directly to consumers. They alleged that the businesses were able to undercut local retailers because of their direct access to manufacturers and suppliers in China.
They also maintained that the protest was peaceful and was not intended to result in attacks on Chinese nationals or damage to their property.
The dispute has generated different reactions, with some commentators calling for government intervention to protect local traders, while others have argued that competition and lower prices could benefit consumers.
The traders’ protest was subsequently suspended following intervention by market leaders, local government officials and the police, with representatives of the protesters and traders’ association meeting to discuss the grievances.
