UNIEC ELDERLY COUNSEL: Let the facts be established, let the law be applied, and let fair competition, Nigerian enterprise, lawful investment and peaceful coexistence prevail.

Different Nationalities. One Marketplace. One Law. Equal Justice. Shared Prosperity. UNITED IGBO ELDERS COUNCIL (UNIEC) WORLDWIDE

ELDERLY COUNSEL ON THE LAGOS TRADE FAIR COMPLEX DISPUTE AND THE NEED FOR LAWFUL, FAIR AND BALANCED COMMERCIAL REGULATION

The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide has taken note of the recent concerns and public debate arising from the protest at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex regarding the alleged involvement of some Chinese business operators in retail activities.

As elders, we believe that such a matter requires wisdom rather than anger, facts rather than assumptions, and law rather than emotion.

We do not support expressions such as “Chinese must go” when directed generally at a nationality. A commercial disagreement should never become hostility against people because of their nationality. Chinese citizens and businesses operating lawfully in Nigeria deserve respect, just as Nigerian citizens and businesses deserve protection under Nigerian law.

At the same time, the concerns expressed by Nigerian traders should not simply be dismissed. Reports indicate that some traders allege that foreign operators who traditionally supplied Nigerian merchants as wholesalers are increasingly engaging directly in retail trade. These are allegations requiring proper investigation, not conclusions that should be reached through public confrontation.

The fundamental question is therefore not “Chinese or Nigerian?” It is:

WHAT DOES NIGERIAN LAW PERMIT, AND IS THAT LAW BEING APPLIED FAIRLY AND EQUALLY?

Nigeria already has a statutory framework for competition and consumer protection. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act established the FCCPC to promote fair, efficient and competitive markets and to address anticompetitive and restrictive practices.

UNIEC therefore respectfully calls upon the relevant authorities to establish the facts concerning:

• the ownership and registration of affected businesses;
• immigration, tax and import compliance;
• the precise nature of their authorised commercial activities;
• whether any restricted activity is being undertaken;
• whether Nigerian companies or individuals are being improperly used as fronts;
• whether any conduct amounts to abuse of market power or another prohibited practice; and
• whether existing regulations adequately reflect present commercial realities.

Where a violation is established, the law should take its course—without regard to nationality, ethnicity, influence or social status.

Where no violation is established, lawful businesses should be permitted to compete without harassment or discrimination.

UNIEC equally recognises that competition must not become an excuse for unlawful exclusion, and protection of local enterprise must not become a justification for protectionism without regard to consumers.

Nigerian traders deserve an enabling environment: accessible finance, reliable electricity, efficient ports, predictable taxation, lower logistics costs, industrial infrastructure, technology and serious support for local manufacturing and enterprise development.

Equally, Nigerian consumers deserve access to safe and competitively priced goods.

Our elders' counsel is therefore simple:

PROTECT THE LAW. PROTECT FAIR COMPETITION. PROTECT NIGERIAN ENTERPRISE. PROTECT THE CONSUMER. WELCOME LAWFUL INVESTMENT. REJECT XENOPHOBIA.

The solution is not to drive away investors because of their nationality. Neither is it to allow any business, foreign or domestic, to operate outside the law.

This is an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate that law, fairness, enterprise and national interest can coexist.

UNIEC Worldwide particularly appeals to our people, including our hardworking traders and business communities, to pursue their legitimate concerns through organised, peaceful and lawful engagement.

We further call upon government and regulatory authorities to provide clarity, transparency and certainty concerning areas open to foreign participation and activities subject to Nigerian restrictions.

As elders, we remind all parties:

A nation does not protect its economy by protecting disorder. A nation does not attract investment by tolerating unfairness. A nation does not empower its citizens by shielding them permanently from competition.

Nigeria must instead build an economy in which lawful competition produces stronger businesses, stronger consumers, greater investment, more employment and greater productive capacity.

The Lagos Trade Fair situation should therefore become an opportunity for constructive dialogue and regulatory clarity—not a contest between Nigerians and Chinese.

Let the facts be established. Let the law be applied. Let justice be seen to be done. Let legitimate enterprise be protected. Let peaceful coexistence prevail.

ELDERLY COUNSEL

“Different Nationalities. One Marketplace. One Law. Equal Justice. Shared Prosperity.”

UNITED IGBO ELDERS COUNCIL (UNIEC) WORLDWIDE

Custodians of Heritage • Voices of Conscience • Advocates of Justice and Unity