Lere Olayinka blasts Igbo traders over Chinese protest

Social media influencer VeryDarkMan has criticized certain Igbo traders in Lagos over a recent protest against their perceived competition from Chinese traders. The traders had staged a demonstration, demanding that Chinese traders leave the markets they operate in, claiming that the lower prices offered by the Chinese traders were negatively impacting their own businesses.

In response to the protest, VeryDarkMan argued that Nigerian traders should concentrate on enhancing local production and manufacturing capabilities, rather than advocating for foreign competitors to exit the market. He contended that the traders were failing to adapt to the evolving global business landscape, which had left them behind. "What these guys don’t understand is that the world has advanced, but they didn’t advance with it, and that’s why they have been left behind," VeryDarkMan stated.

Furthermore, VeryDarkMan questioned the implications of China ceasing to issue visas to Nigerian travelers seeking to visit manufacturers and source goods. "You’re saying China must leave the market, but what if China says they’re no longer giving Nigerians visas to travel there and meet manufacturers?" he inquired. He emphasized that Nigeria's heavy reliance on imported goods could render local traders vulnerable when competing with foreign businesses.

"Your market won’t have a market because Nigeria doesn’t produce and manufacture anything. We only import in 2026," he declared.