The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has taken a stand to thwart the looming departure of Shoprite, one of Nigeria’s leading supermarket chains, from its sole branch in Kano State. The decision to intervene follows ShopRite’s announcement of its intention to cease operations in Kano in January 2024, citing a challenging economic environment as the primary cause.

In response to the company’s exit strategy, Senator Barau’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, disclosed that the Deputy President of the Senate is scheduled to engage with the company’s management in Abuja this week. “The Office of the Deputy President of the Senate has initiated measures to prevent Shoprite from vacating Kano State. His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, CON, will convene with the company’s leadership this week to address and, hopefully, resolve the issue,” stated Mudashir.

“While this matter is fundamentally a business issue, we are committed to exploring avenues to persuade them to reconsider their decision and maintain their presence in Kano. Considering the abundant business prospects in Kano, the commercial hub of northern Nigeria, we are resolute in our efforts to attract investors and avert their departure,” he affirmed.

Recently, Procter & Gamble, a multinational consumer goods company, disclosed its plans to withdraw from Nigeria, adding to the string of exits by companies such as GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has also indicated the likelihood of more firms shuttering their operations due to the harsh economic realities prevailing in Nigeria.