Traders Protest Chinese Retail Presence at Lagos Trade Fair

Tension briefly flared at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway this week as a group of local traders, predominantly of Igbo extraction, staged a demonstration against the growing retail activities of Chinese merchants in the market, including the ASPMDA (also known as Aspanda or ASPAMDA) section.

Videos circulating on social media showed protesters marching with placards bearing messages such as “Chinese must go,” “We are fighting for our rights. Chinese must leave the market of ASPMDA,” and “This is a peaceful protest.” They chanted slogans demanding that the foreign traders cease retail operations and, in some cases, leave the market entirely. One protester, speaking in a mix of English and local dialect, voiced frustration: “Omo, we are angry o, the Chinese people must go.” Another warned that if the trend continued, local shops could be lost within five to six years.

The core grievance centres on allegations that Chinese nationals, who initially entered the Nigerian market primarily as wholesalers and importers, have expanded into direct retail sales.

Local traders claim these businesses rent shops, build warehouses within the complex, sell goods at prices closer to wholesale rates—made possible by direct importation from China—and even solicit customers by obtaining phone numbers from waybills. This, they argue, bypasses the traditional distribution chain of manufacturers and wholesalers supplying Nigerian distributors and retailers, undercutting local prices and eroding their customer base.

“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,” one trader was quoted as saying in circulating footage.

Protesters stressed that the action was peaceful and not directed at Chinese goods themselves or intended to harm individuals or property, but aimed at protecting indigenous livelihoods and the established trading structure. Some reportedly visited Chinese shops and warned that remaining stock could be sold but no further products should be brought in.

Market leadership and security agencies moved quickly to contain the situation. The President of ASPMDA, Nnamdi Ngozi Emechebe, described the incident as a minor protest that was brought under control almost immediately. He said association officials held meetings to address the issues and dismissed exaggerated reports as “fake news,” assuring that the market remained peaceful and organised.

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“There’s no issue in ASPMDA Plaza. We are a highly organised trade association, so everything is under our control,” he stated.

The Lagos State Police Command characterised the demonstration as the work of a few “miscreants” and “disgruntled fellows.” Officials noted there was no violence or fighting, the situation stayed calm, and those involved had been cautioned, with possible arrests to follow.

Representatives from the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, other security agencies, and the Chinese community were present during assessments. The Secretary of the Traders Association in the complex, Juventus Okpala-Okaka, indicated that leadership had already been taking steps on the concerns before the protest occurred, and the matter was subsequently resolved through interventions involving association leaders, local government officials and police.

The episode highlights ongoing friction in parts of Nigeria’s commercial hubs over competition from foreign traders, particularly Chinese operators involved in importation and sales.

While some online commentators framed the protest in xenophobic terms or questioned the right of non-indigenous traders to dictate terms in Lagos, others pointed to the benefits of lower prices for consumers and the long history of Lagos as an open trading city. Local traders have called for dialogue involving government authorities, business leaders, Chinese manufacturers and Nigerian retailers to strike a balance that protects traditional distribution roles without shutting out legitimate foreign participation.

As of the latest reports, commercial activities at the complex, including ASPMDA, have continued normally, with market leaders urging customers from across the country to keep patronising the facility. Authorities continue to monitor the situation to prevent any escalation.