Igbo traders at the Lagos Trade Fair Market have staged a protest against Chinese manufacturers and retailers, accusing them of taking over their customers by selling directly in the same market at lower prices. The protest, captured in a video shared on X by user Chief Ikukuoma, showed traders marching with placards and chanting “Chinese must go.”
Protest Over Alleged Customer Takeover
The traders allege that Chinese businesses have significantly affected their sales by operating retail outlets in the same market where they sell their goods. One of the placards read, “We are fighting for our rights. Chinese must leave the market of ASPMDA.” Another protester said, “Omo, we are angry o, the Chinese people must go.”
The protest was organized by Igbo traders at the Lagos Trade Fair Market, also known as ASPMDA (Automobile and Spare Parts Dealers Association). The traders claim that Chinese manufacturers are not only producing goods locally but also retailing them directly to consumers, undercutting local wholesalers and retailers who cannot match their prices.
Traders Demand Chinese Retailers Leave Market
Explaining the reason for the protest, the group’s chief speaker said the traders were not asking the Chinese to leave Nigeria but wanted them to stop retailing in their market. “You have the right to stay in Nigeria, but you don’t have the right to stay where we are doing business. You are a manufacturer; we are wholesalers and retailers. How do you bring your business to our doorstep and expect us to thrive? We cannot, because your prices are totally different from ours. We are no longer selling,” he said.
“Our people are no longer selling; you are the one selling. You go to our customers and convince them to buy from you. Who are we going to sell our own to?” The speaker stressed that the protest was not aimed at driving Chinese nationals out of Nigeria. He said their concern was about manufacturers producing goods locally and retailing them in the same market as Nigerian wholesalers and retailers.
Appeal for Respect of Business Arrangement
The speaker also appealed to the Chinese businesses to respect the existing business arrangement in the market. “Pls and pls, we respect China. China is a good country. You accommodate our people, and we accommodate you too, but pls you must respect our business arrangement. In China, our people don’t sell like you, so you have to give us that respect and leave our market. You can go very far from here and establish your business,” he said.
The traders also warned that they would return to the authorities if their demands were not addressed, urging the Chinese businesses not to dismiss the protest as an empty threat. In a related development, Chief Ikukuoma’s video also showed Igbo traders at ASPANDA going to the shops of Chinese retailers and telling them that once they are done selling their remaining goods, they won’t be allowed to bring in any more products.
