There has been an alarming incident in Abuja, where a Chinese supermarket situated at the premises of the China General Chamber of Commerce on Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Road has been discovered to bar Nigerians from shopping at its store. This discriminatory policy was confirmed through a comprehensive investigation, which was later confirmed during a site visit.
According to PUNCH, security personnel explicitly said that Nigerians were not allowed to enter. The management had issued a directive at the beginning of the year to enforce this exclusion policy, which appeared to apply exclusively based on nationality. Only Chinese nationals were granted access to the supermarket.
The security guard explained, “The truth is that they are selling, but they said our people should stop coming. They said only Chinese individuals are allowed to shop here.” He further revealed that this policy shift occurred in January, and since then, no Nigerian has been allowed entry. The reasons behind this discriminatory policy remain unclear as management has not provided any explanation.
Inside the supermarket, a variety of goods including both foreign and local food items, drinks, and essential supplies were observed, none of which bore a price tag. The staff’s interactions were also quite secretive. One attendant, who spoke Yoruba, expressed surprise at a Nigerian being allowed inside, suggesting that entry might have been an exception rather than a change in policy.
The supermarket attendant clarified that only employees are permitted to shop in the store, and Nigerians are not allowed to enter. The reasons for the policy change are unknown. Attempts to obtain an official response or explanation from the supermarket management were futile, as staff and security were reluctant to provide contact details for their superiors, fearing potential repercussions.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) was made aware of the situation, though direct comments were deferred pending a formal investigation. Nicholas Utsalo, the Senior Public Relations Officer of the FCCPC, noted that only the Executive Vice Chairman could officially address the press but assured that the agency would investigate these serious allegations.
Legal and social justice perspectives were highly critical of the policy adopted by the supermarket. Afam Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, denounced the discriminatory practice, comparing it to racial segregation and discrimination. He stressed the need for government intervention to curb such behaviors, emphasizing that it is alarming that a foreign-owned business in Nigeria would discriminate against nationals of the country.
