A viral protest demanding that Chinese traders leave the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex has sent shockwaves across continents, triggering panic among thousands of Nigerians living and trading in China.
On Tuesday, a group of traders at the Auto Parts Main Gate staged a loud “Chinese-must-go” protest, accusing Chinese merchants of infiltrating retail stalls, crashing prices and stealing customers. Videos of the chant-filled demonstration exploded online. Within hours, phones at the complex would not stop ringing.
Panic Calls From Guangzhou
For Nigerians in Guangzhou and Yiwu, the videos were a nightmare.
“Our brothers in China were alarmed. My brother asked if those protesters understood the problem such videos could cause,” said Veen, a trader at Trade Fair.
Another trader, Nnamdi, described chaos: “As you are answering one call, two more are jamming your line. They were pleading, ‘beg our people to calm down, this will do nobody any good.’ They fear victimisation, deportation, loss of privileges that keep businesses alive back home.”
Ebenezer added: “If China gets angry and terminates certain privileges, will it not affect businesses back at home?”
Jitters and Crackdown in Lagos
At Trade Fair, fear replaced bravado. Traders feigned ignorance, scurried away from cameras, and whispered about arrests.
“Security operatives are moving around picking people who appeared in the video. Some protesters have fled,” a trader said, eyes scanning constantly.
Another witness said the market became a war zone after the video went viral, with police, immigration, NSCDC and soldiers flooding in before the council chairman intervened.
Market leaders insist the protest was unauthorised, allegedly sponsored by a disgruntled businessman. About 30 traders are said to have mobilised without approval.
The Core Grievance
Protesters say the business model is broken. They import goods for N2,100, aim to sell for N2,500 after duties, rent and tax, only for Chinese merchants in the same market to retail the same goods for N1,700.
“They are manufacturers. We respect them. But there should be a boundary. Manufacturers should not come and sell in units at our doorstep,” said Obelechukwu, one of the protesters.
Experts warn the clash exposes Nigeria’s loose retail investment policy, urging government to reserve retail for locals while protecting vital China-Nigeria trade, which hit a record $24.9 billion in 2025.
