‘Locals not allowed’: Nigeria shuts Chinese supermarket for alleged racist behaviour

Nigerian authorities have shut down a Chinese-owned supermarket in the capitalAbujaover allegations that it denied entry to African shoppers.

Nigeria'sconsumer protection watchdog said on X that the supermarket"exclusively permits individuals of Chinese descent to enter".It has also summoned the Chinese owner for further investigation and interrogation.

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce has vehemently denied the allegations levelled by Nigeria'sFederal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

Massive outrage on social media

The move comes after Nigerians expressed anger on social media over the alleged racism by the supermarket administration.

People shared first-hand experiences on social media as some locals were being turned away by guards at the door.

In a video,a man can be heardsaying hewas barredfrom entering the supermarket.

"At the gate, the security people told me that the supermarket is strictly for Chinese people. If you are a Nigerian, youcan'tgo inside or buy anything,"he said in the clip posted onX.

Several posts were made on X by Nigerians, furthering the claims that non-Chinese shoppers were not allowed in.

One such post quoted a guardassaying that the market had adopted the‘Only Chinese shoppers’policy in January.

Even Nigerian politicians have voiced their anger against the Chinese supermarket.

Former senator Shehu Sani said that any store which barred Nigerians in Nigeria"should be forcibly opened or be pulled down".

Statement by China General Chamber of Commerce

China General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC), the building which hosts the supermarket, said in a statement it stood for"equality and inclusiveness".

"Our principles are to enhance friendship between the people of both countries and promote economic development,"it added.

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Meanwhile, an FCCPC official quoted an administrator at CGCC as saying that the supermarketmajorly sold Chinese groceries anditwas openedto serve thebuilding’s tenants.However, he claimed that the supermarket had always been open to non-Chinese visitors.

FCCPC said the investigation wasgoing onand directed the store to remain closed.

(With inputs from agencies)