A Chinese supermarket located in Abuja has ignited fury among Nigerians following allegations that it systematically denies sales to local customers. Outraged citizens have taken to social media platforms to express their frustration and call for action against what they perceive as discriminatory practices.
According to a social media user who recently visited the store, local customers are consistently turned away at the entrance by security personnel. Additionally, all items within the supermarket are reportedly labeled exclusively in Chinese. Furthermore, the individual claims that receipts are printed in Chinese, and all transactions are conducted using the Chinese Yuan currency.
Reacting to the video, one social media user wrote “When the government has zero respect for its citizens, foreigners will do the same.” “Even inside our own country, foreigners dey see us finish. They’ll see us finish in their country and still come to our own country and see us finish still. Nawa for Nigerians. We know how to tolerate a lot of rubbish,” wrote another.
There is a large population of Chinese people in Nigeria which can include Chinese expatriates and descendants born in Nigeria with Hakka ancestry. An estimated 40,000 Chinese people live in Nigeria with about 9,000 of them working as expatriates mainly in Abuja, Lagos and Kano.
In 2020, operatives of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), shut down a number of Chinese restaurants and malls in Lagos after it was alleged that they refused sell food and drinks to Nigerians.
China reportedly has police agreements with approximately 40 African nations, including Nigeria, enabling them to deploy commando units and establish police stations throughout Africa. These formations primarily serve to safeguard Chinese citizens and infrastructure projects across the continent.
