Foreigners Taking Over Retail Trade Threatens 27.5% Of Nigerian Jobs – Economist

Leadership News | 20-09-2026 11:53am |

Dr. Muda Yusuf, director/CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), warned that the increasing incursion of foreign nationals, particularly Chinese traders, into Nigeria's retail and distributive trade is threatening jobs and displacing local businesses. In a statement on Sunday, Yusuf said the trend raises critical issues around employment protection, fair competition, investment policy, and the integrity of the country's immigration and business-permit regime. He noted that the distributive trade sector employs an estimated 27.5 percent of Nigeria's workforce, with millions depending on wholesale and retail trade for their livelihoods.

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