A federal agency in Nigeria has taken action against a supermarket in the country’s capital of Abuja by closing it down.
According to Atlanta Black Star, the agency shut down a Chinese-owned grocery store for allegedly discriminating against Nigerian customers. The outlet noted that the supermarket, which was not named in the article, had put up a sign barring Nigerians from shopping at their store.
Atlanta Black Star also reported that a Nigerian news outlet called The PunchNG confirmed the store’s policy through a security guard who worked there. The guard noted that “management” put the rule in place earlier this year.
The guard said that non-Chinese shoppers were not allowed to shop at the store and were stopped at a gate near its entrance.
Social Media Experiences
Nigeria has long been an ideal choice for Chinese expats because of the close trading relationship between the two countries, the business opportunities, and the infrastructure projects happening in the country.
The unnamed grocery store is one of several immigrant-operated businesses in Abuja.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in Nigeria made the store close its doors on Monday after speaking with some of the store’s Nigerian workers, Atlanta Black Star reported.
Since the closing, several residents in the area have voiced their opinions on the topic through social media, bringing more attention to instances of mistreatment against Nigerians in their own country.
Some people put the responsibility onto the local government and authorities, asking them to take stronger action against discrimination.
An X user, @dammiedammie35, shared his experience at the store. He said he attempted to visit but wasn’t allowed inside. In the video, he noted the security at the gate told him that only Chinese people were allowed inside.
“So I wanted to go [to the store] and check it out…at the gate, the security told me, ‘the supermarket is strictly for Chinese people.’ If you are Nigerian, you cannot go inside,” the user said in an 80-second video.
The incident sparked outrage among Nigerians who saw this move as a clear case of discrimination and racism. The video has been shared thousands of times since he posted it, with many responses noting similar experiences.
The Impact
The grocery store’s forced closure and pending investigation is a wake-up call for businesses operating in Nigeria to adhere to the country’s laws and respect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their nationalities.
The government’s swift response to the incident sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated and has no place in Nigeria.