Social media activist VeryDarkMan has blasted Igbo traders in Lagos State for their recent protest demanding that Chinese traders leave local markets, questioning the logic of targeting foreign competitors.
Protest Background
The traders reportedly staged demonstrations in several Lagos markets, claiming that the lower prices offered by Chinese sellers were eroding their businesses.
VeryDarkMan’s Response
VeryDarkMan argued that Nigerian traders should concentrate on boosting local production and manufacturing rather than calling for foreign competitors to exit. He said the traders were falling behind in a rapidly changing global business environment.
“What these guys don’t understand is that the world has advanced, but they didn’t advance with it, and that’s why they have been left behind,” he said.
Implications of Dependence on Imports
The activist warned that if China were to stop granting Nigerian visas for manufacturers and sourcing trips, local traders could be left vulnerable. He highlighted Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported goods.
“You’re saying China must leave the market, but what if China says they’re no longer giving Nigerians visas to travel there and meet manufacturers? Your market won’t have a market because Nigeria doesn’t produce and manufacture anything. We only import in 2026,” he added.
VeryDarkMan’s comments underscore the challenges faced by domestic traders in competing with foreign businesses and stress the need for Nigeria to develop its own manufacturing capacity.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
