Discrimination against Nigerians and other Africans by Chinese and other foreign firms and nationals is not new.
Africa-China history is marked by solidarity, but also dented by old and new racism. Nothing at this moment suggests that the current situation will drastically change.
A video emerged on April 10, 2020 of a Nigerian diplomat in China, Razaq Lawal, publicly criticizing his compatriots’ maltreatment in Guangzhou by Chinese officials.
Lawal protested that Nigerians were kept in COVID-19 quarantine beyond the normal 14 days for Chinese citizens. Chinese officials were also seizing their passports. He pointed out that the Nigerian government did not treat Chinese citizens living in Nigeria any differently from its own citizens.
The video drew the ire of Nigerians and the Nigerian government. The then speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, (now Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu) demanded answers from the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian.
Based on research on relations between the two countries (especially in terms of labour relations) over the past decade, incidents like this may keep recurring.
Official relations between Nigeria and China date back to February 1971, when Nigeria established diplomatic relations with China. But contact between ordinary Nigerians and Chinese predates the 1967-1970 Biafra civil wars. Though some argue that China supported the Biafran forces against the Nigerian government, no post-war government in Nigeria has confirmed Beijing’s involvement.
Along with other African countries, Nigeria supported China as the genuine representative of the Chinese people in 1975. This led to the replacement of Taiwan at the United Nations. High-level bilateral visits followed, setting the stage for increased trade. Although accurate figures are difficult to find, Nigeria-China trade galloped from about $1.8 billion in 2003 to $13.5 billion in 2018.
As the relationship grew, more Nigerians established business and other relationships in China.
In 2012, there was another protest by Africans in Guangzhou over the death of a Nigerian in police detention.
Nigeria’s reluctance to call out Chinese actions over the years is the main reason why the status quo persists.
A good number of Chinese multinationals and small companies operate in Nigeria. Chinese companies in Nigeria are building much needed roads and railways, airports, and telecommunications infrastructure.
There are currently about 218 registered Chinese firms in Nigeria. They are involved in construction, furniture, food and beverages, beauty, and product assembling plants, among others.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s trade deficit against China remains huge. Between 2015 and 2018, for instance, the trade deficit stood at N6.83 trillion (which exchanges for about $17.5 billion today) in favour of China.
The trade volume between both nations increased to about $26bn in 2022.
A significant amount of Nigeria’s export to China is crude oil.
“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.”
China is a major financier of large projects in Nigeria. These include the $874 million, 187km Abuja-Kaduna rail; the $1.2 billion, 312km Lagos-Ibadan expressway; the $1.1 billion Kano-Kaduna railway lines and the $600 airport terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.
An estimate puts the current cost of Chinese projects at $47 billion. Many of these are financed by Chinese loans. It will be difficult for a country that relies so much on China to take action against Beijing.
Two weeks ago, both traditional and social media were agog with the news that a Chinese supermarket on Airport Road in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was barring Nigerians from shopping in the store.
The company 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.
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.
The saga gives a hint that discrimination by foreign business interests against Nigerians might be widespread. In another report, it was 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.
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 Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and other related agencies should cast their nets wide to exterminate this hateful trend.
The latest treatment of Nigerians in Nigeria is a dent on Nigeria-China relations. But if relations are to make progress, at least two important issues must be addressed. First, the Chinese government must do more to educate its people, making ordinary Chinese sensitive to issues of racism.
Second, Chinese citizens in Nigeria must understand that their actions could have implications for their compatriots in Africa. This could affect China’s long-term relevance in Africa as a partner.
