Protectionism: Key to saving Nigeria’s retail stores and trade

By YUSUF KOLAWOLE Nigeria’s retail sector is one of the most important pillars of the country’s economy. From the small provision shop on the street corner to supermarkets, open markets, distributors and large wholesale businesses, millions of Nigerians depend directly or indirectly on buying and selling for their livelihoods. Yet, Nigeria’s retailers and local manufacturers are facing a growing challenge: the enormous volume of imported products entering the Nigerian market, particularly from China and other major manufacturing economies.

The issue is no longer simply about whether Nigerians should have access to foreign goods. The bigger question is whether Nigeria can continue to depend heavily on imported products without weakening the domestic industries, factories, retailers and jobs that should form the foundation of a sustainable economy. Recent trade figures illustrate the scale of the challenge.

Nigeria imported goods worth about N28.04 trillion in the first half of 2026, with imports from China accounting for approximately N11.01 trillion, or 39.27 per cent of total imports during the period. At the same time, Nigeria’s exports to China were about N1.09 trillion, producing a substantial merchandise trade imbalance. These figures should prompt serious national discussion about the future of Nigerian manufacturing, retail trade and economic independence.

The flood of imported products Across Nigerian markets and retail stores, consumers can find a wide range of imported products competing directly with goods that could potentially be produced locally. The situation is particularly noticeable in areas such as textiles and clothing, building materials, household goods, electrical products, furniture, books, stationery and other consumer products. Chinese products have become especially prominent because of China’s enormous manufacturing capacity and ability to supply goods at competitive prices.

The presence of Chinese products in Nigeria is not, by itself, evidence of wrongdoing. China is a major global trading nation, and Nigerian consumers and businesses benefit from access to affordable products. The concern arises when the scale of imports becomes so large that domestic producers are unable to compete, factories close, investment declines and Nigerian businesses increasingly become distributors of foreign products rather than producers.