HAVING been caught napping, it is interesting to see the sanctions the authorities will mete out on foreign businesses discriminating against Nigerians in their own country. At the weekend, both traditional and social media were agog with the news that a Chinese supermarket on Airport Road in the Federal Capital Territory was barring Nigerians from shopping in the store. In turn, it allegedly granted entry to only Chinese nationals and Nigerians working in the establishment. Discrimination of any sort is unacceptable in decent human societies. So, the Federal Government must conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations against the Chinese outfit and apply the due sanctions if found culpable.

The owner of the store denies the allegations. She is supported by the China General Chamber of Commerce, which said that visitors must adhere to security protocols in the estate where the supermarket is located.

Already, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has sealed the store and summoned the owner following complaints by Nigerians. On many counts, their outrage is justified.

No sound explanation justifies any business denying access to Nigerians in Nigeria. When a foreigner thus discriminates against them in their home, it suggests that they are second-class citizens in their own country. It shows that the government is weak and is unable to protect their interests according to the extant laws and conventions. This is a letdown.

In one of its reports on the incident, The PUNCH stated, “For now, they (management) have stopped everything. 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. The shop is only meant for Chinese people. People were allowed to come in throughout last year, but since January, they changed the policy and directed that no Nigerian is allowed to enter.”

The saga gives a hint that discrimination by foreign business interests against Nigerians might be widespread. In another report, this newspaper reported that an Indian language school based in Ilupeju, Lagos, did not admit Nigerians but only Indian pupils. This is insulting. In India, a Nigerian will not likely establish a Nigerian-only school there or in another country.

On the other hand, Nigerians suffer heavy discrimination abroad. This occurs repeatedly in Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and Latin America. Nigerians are incarcerated in many parts of the world unjustly, sometimes on trumped-up charges.

Nigeria and South Africa rowed in 2012 after South Africa deported 125 Nigerians for reportedly entering the country with fake yellow fever vaccine certificates. In retaliation, Nigeria deported 84 South Africans. In all, 13,235 Nigerians suffered deportation by 10 countries in the four years to 2021, a report said. South Africans seem fond of violently attacking Nigerians and their business outfits.

In part, this is a self-inflicted pain. A 2017 McKinsey report exposed Nigeria’s weakness. The report said of the 930 Chinese companies doing business in Nigeria as of 2017, only 317 were documented. Some of these companies can go under the radar to sabotage Nigeria.

There are unending allegations that Chinese nationals are engaged in illegal mining, which costs the treasury $9 billion annually, according to the Federal Government. Some foreign companies allegedly violate the expatriate quota, thereby denying Nigerians jobs. In December, Adams Oshiomhole, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, alleged that foreign companies bring prisoners to work on construction sites.

To solve these discriminatory practices, Nigeria needs to critically evaluate its national outlook.

The government should stop foreigners from abusing the magnanimity of its people, who welcome visitors with open arms. Through investigations, monitoring, and sanctions, the FCCPC and other related agencies should cast their nets wide to exterminate this obnoxious trend.