The Abuja-based Chinese supermarket, which sparked outrage over discriminatory practices prohibiting Nigerians from shopping, is now closed, as reported by PUNCH Online.
Situated at the China General Chamber of Commerce along Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Road in Abuja, the supermarket faced backlash for implementing a policy exclusively allowing entry to Chinese citizens while turning away Nigerians.
Despite previous access granted to non-Chinese individuals, the policy shifted at the beginning of the year, with security personnel enforcing the directive. When visited by a correspondent, the guards confirmed the new policy, stating it was instructed by management without providing reasons. Despite the closure, our correspondent was granted access, albeit with ambiguity surrounding the reasons.
The attendant inside the store corroborated the discriminatory policy, mentioning that only individuals working on the premises were permitted to shop. Attempts to gather information from passersby about the closure were unsuccessful, with heavy security presence observed in the vicinity.
The closure of the supermarket marks a development in the ongoing controversy surrounding discriminatory practices and highlights tensions surrounding foreign-owned businesses operating in Nigeria.
