Dotun Questions Igbo Traders’ Protest Against Chinese Merchants In Lagos

 

Image: IG 

The disagreement over the presence of Chinese merchants in Lagos has taken another turn, with OAP Dotun questioning the decision by some Igbo traders to protest against them.

The traders have raised concerns about the activities of Chinese merchants operating in the Nigerian market, particularly their ability to sell goods at prices that local traders say make it difficult for them to compete.

For Dotun, however, the issue raises questions about how Nigerians react when similar situations happen to Nigerians in other countries.

He pointed to previous incidents involving Nigerians being asked to leave certain places and argued that such actions were described differently depending on who was affected.

Dotun said: "Selective outrage. You hated the fact that you were asked to leave Lagos. You called it tribalism. You hated the fact that South Africans chased Nigerians out of South Africa. You called it Xenophobia. What do you call chasing foreigners out of a place cos they sell cheaper than you? If you make excuses for the latter then you are a bldy hypocrite."

His argument was that cheaper prices alone should not automatically become a reason to demand that foreign traders leave a market.

The conversation also moved to the question of Nigerians who do business outside the country. A comment suggested that the traders were simply trying to defend their own market.

Dotun dismissed that argument and turned the question around by pointing to Nigerians who operate businesses in China.

He replied: "Your market? Another idi*t. The Nigerians that have shops in China, what would you say about that? Damn you are all bldy hypocrites."

The exchange highlights a broader argument over foreign participation in Nigeria's trading space and the pressure local businesses face when competing with merchants who may be able to offer goods at lower prices.

For the traders involved, the issue is not simply about having foreign businesses in Lagos. Their concerns include competition, pricing and the effect of large-scale trading activities on local businesses.

Dotun's position, however, focuses on consistency. His comments question whether Nigerians should object to foreign traders operating locally while expecting Nigerians doing business abroad to receive a different treatment.

The disagreement therefore goes beyond the immediate protest. It touches on a familiar question about competition in international markets: where should the line be drawn between protecting local businesses and allowing foreign traders to participate freely?.

As the argument continues, the different sides are putting forward their own concerns about business, competition and the treatment of foreign traders in Nigeria.

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