Traders at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway protested on Monday, September 14, 2026, over the alleged expansion of Chinese businesses into retail trade.
The traders alleged that some Chinese operators had moved from manufacturing and wholesale into direct retailing, putting Nigerian traders under increasing competitive pressure.
The protest was later suspended after interventions by the market leadership, police and Amuwo-Odofin Local Government officials.
The Secretary of the Traders Association at the complex, Juventus Okpala-Okaka, said on Tuesday that the association had received complaints about the activities of Chinese merchants before the protest and constituted a committee to investigate them.
He said the protesters proceeded with the demonstration despite the process already underway, prompting the association to invite their representatives for talks.
Okpala-Okaka said between 30 and 50 representatives were selected to work with the committee and association executives, adding that a meeting held on Tuesday made progress towards resolving the dispute.
He said the Amuwo-Odofin council chairman and police Area Commander later visited the complex, where they were briefed before meeting traders and representatives of the Chinese business community.
Videos of the protest showed traders carrying placards, including one reading, “Chinese must go.”
One protester alleged that some Chinese operators had established shops and warehouses within the complex and were selling directly to consumers at prices local retailers could not match.
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He also alleged that some operators obtained customers’ contact details from waybills and approached them directly. The allegations could not be independently verified.
The protesters said their objection was not to Chinese nationals doing business in Nigeria but to their alleged participation in retail activities traditionally handled by Nigerian traders.
The Area E Commander of the Lagos State Police Command, ACP Chike Oti, said there had been no fight at the complex and described the protest as the action of a small group.
He said those involved had been cautioned and that arrests would be made where necessary.
Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Chairman, Prince Lanre Sanusi, said there was no crisis between Nigerian and Chinese traders, while the President of the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association, Nnamdi Ngozi Emechebe, described the incident as a minor protest that had been brought under control.
A representative of the Chinese business community also said Chinese operators at the complex were conducting their businesses peacefully.
The protest comes amid wider concerns in parts of Africa over competition between foreign businesses and local traders.
In Kenya, President William Ruto on September 2, 2026, directed authorities to shut down small-scale businesses operated by foreign traders. Kenyan authorities later clarified that enforcement targeted foreigners operating without required permits and documentation.
The Lagos dispute, however, remains focused on the specific grievances raised by traders at the Trade Fair Complex.
By Tuesday, September 15, calm had returned to the complex as market leaders and security officials continued efforts to address the traders’ concerns.