Igbo traders doing business at the Trade Fair market in Lagos have staged a protest demanding that Chinese businessmen leave the market.

According to them, the Chinese are stealing their customers and ruining their businesses.

The protesters were captured in a social media video displaying placards with varying inscriptions, some of which read, "Chinese Must Go," "China Must Leave Our Market."

Reacting, an X user, @Midatlblog said, "Omo but Igbo people are selling in China naw how will u feel if they chase them back?"

@egan_eganabr said, "Nigerians are these biggest hypocrites; if China applies the same measures on Nigerians,,I hope we won’t be hearing racism shout everywhere."

@kayode_william said, "I do tell some Igbo folks when we talk offline, and they always say, or should I say, brag that, if they exit the business/trading sector in Lagos, and Nigeria by extension, that the economy will crumble. I do tell them that the services they are rendering are replaceable.

"And that if they exit, it will only be for a short while that the economy will be affected, after which they will be replaced by others.

"Because, the services they are rendering is trading, which others, either within the country, or foreigners can do as well. When, I do tell them this, my thought was even about the Lebanese, Indians. The Chinese were not even in the picture.

"But, here we are today, the Chinese are already giving them a run for their money. That is Capitalism for you. Competition.

"Well, I will advise that our government should come in, and find a way to protect our local Nigerian traders.

"Finally, I hope our guys can now begin to see that they are replaceable in the trading services they render across the country. So, they should learn how to be humble."

Igbo traders at Trade Fair Market, Lagos stage protest against Chinese traders who sell in the market, demanding that they stop selling in the market and leave their country 😱pic.twitter.com/eJWdGRM5eV

— Mide.O 🩷 (@Midatlblog) September 15, 2026