* Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo
The Pathfinder
Thursday, January 29, 2026
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The Anambra State Government has ordered traders in 12 more markets across the state to fully resume commercial activities on Mondays, warning that defiance of the directive could attract strict sanctions, including temporary market closures.
The decision follows the government’s earlier enforcement action on Tuesday, when Onitsha Main Market was shut down for one week after traders failed to comply with the order to open for business on Mondays. Authorities described the continued sit-at-home practice as harmful to economic productivity and public order.
The newly listed markets affected by the directive are: Ochanja Central Market, Bridgehead Market, Ogbaru Main Market, Building Materials Market, Ogidi, Agba-Edo Auto Spare Parts Market, Nnewi, New Auto and Motorcycle Spare Parts Market, Nnewi, Fairly Used Motorcycle Spare Parts Market, Nnewi, New Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkpor, Nkpor Main Market, Old Mercedes Benz Spare Parts Dealers Market, Nkpor, Old Motor Spare Parts Market, Obosi, and Electrical Dealers International Market, Obosi.
The directive, titled “Abolishment of Monday Sit-at-Home,” was contained in a circular issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba. The notice was addressed to leaders of markets under the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA).
Market chairmen were instructed to immediately inform traders of the requirement to open for business every Monday in line with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s executive order aimed at restoring normal economic activities across the state.
According to the circular, government monitoring teams will conduct random inspections to ensure compliance. It warned that any shop found closed on Mondays would be sealed, while defiant traders could face legal action. Markets that fail to comply risk being shut down for a period of one month.
“Any shop that is not open will be sealed by government officials, and the occupant may face prosecution. Any market that fails to comply will be closed for one month,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has scheduled a meeting with market leaders on Thursday, January 29, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Awka to further engage stakeholders on the Monday sit-at-home policy and broader market operations.
The meeting is expected to bring together market chairmen, secretaries, zonal leaders, and line chairpersons from markets across the state.
The government clarified that the engagement was convened at the request of some market leaders who appealed for the reopening of Onitsha Main Market, and not as a response to the traders’ protest that occurred earlier in the week.
A government source disclosed that security would be reinforced at the venue to ensure a peaceful and orderly meeting.
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