Nigeria Shuts Chinese Supermarket Accused of Barring Nigerian Customers

A Chinese-owned supermarket in Abuja, Nigeria, has been ordered to shut down by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) due to allegations of racial discrimination. The supermarket allegedly only allowed people of Chinese origin to enter, barring Nigerian customers, which triggered outrage on social media.

The controversy came to light after a viral video showed a resident being denied entry to the supermarket, which is located along Airport Road and sells Chinese foods and beverages. Nigerians voiced their indignation and called for action, prompting the FCCPC to investigate the matter.

The FCCPC's enforcement team, led by Director Surveillance and Enforcement Boladale Adeyinka, summoned the owner of the supermarket, Cindy Liu Bei, to appear before the commission within 48 hours. The supermarket was found to be closed and padlocked from the outside when FCCPC officials arrived, and the owner and her family allegedly fled the premises.

The supermarket, situated within the China General Chamber of Commerce premises, has a history of similar allegations, with owners citing issues with Nigerian customer behavior as justification. However, the FCCPC has vowed to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action against the supermarket's discriminatory practices.

Why this matters: The incident has brought attention to the issue of discrimination and fair access to commercial establishments in Nigeria, highlighting the need for equal treatment of all customers regardless of their nationality or ethnic background.

The China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria has denied the allegations, but the findings from open source investigations, accounts of Nigerian victims, and testimonials of supermarket employees confirm that Nigerians were indeed denied entry to the Chinese supermarket in Abuja. The chamber expressed regret over the incident and stated that it does not reflect the official position of the estate management or the chamber of commerce.

The FCCPC warned that discrimination against any person in Nigeria, whether by foreigners or locals, is illegal and unacceptable. The agency served a notice on Bei to appear before it, warning that failure to comply could lead to regulatory actions, including continuous sealing of the premises.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese-owned supermarket in Abuja, Nigeria, ordered to shut down for racial discrimination.
• Supermarket allegedly only allowed Chinese customers, barring Nigerian customers, triggering outrage.
• FCCPC summoned the owner, who fled the premises, and vowed to investigate the allegations.
• Incident highlights the need for equal treatment of all customers in Nigeria, regardless of nationality.