Anambra Markets Resume Monday Trading, Signalling End of Sit-at-Home Order

After years of economic paralysis enforced by recurring sit-at-home orders, markets across Anambra State reopened for business on Monday, marking a significant turning point in the state’s commercial life. The reopening of the Onitsha Main Market, one of West Africa’s largest trading hubs, signalled what Governor Chukwuma Soludo officially declared as the end of the sit-at-home practice in the state.

The day began cautiously. In the early hours, large sections of the market remained shuttered, with sparse vehicular movement and visible apprehension among traders and residents. However, as the morning progressed without incident, confidence gradually returned. By midday, a growing number of traders had opened their shops, resuming normal business activities and easing long-standing fears of possible attacks.

To enforce compliance with the directive to resume Monday trading, attendance registers were reportedly introduced, with traders required to sign in upon opening their shops. Security presence was also significantly reinforced, as combined patrols of police and military personnel were deployed in and around the market to ensure the safety of traders and customers.

Governor Soludo later visited the Onitsha Main Market at about 2 p.m., moving through various sections of the complex, interacting with traders and patronising some shops. He commended the traders for overcoming fear and described the development as historic, noting that it was the first time in nearly five years that full commercial activities had taken place in Onitsha on a Monday.

“For the first time in five years, Onitsha is open for business on Monday. We have ended sit-at-home here,” the governor said, drawing cheers from traders as he toured the market.

The development attracted commendation from civil society groups, including the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA). In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group described the reopening as a courageous step towards reviving the South-East economy, which it said had suffered prolonged disruption due to insecurity and forced shutdowns.

HURIWA, however, called on security agencies to sustain and deepen security operations in the region. The group urged transparency over conflicting reports regarding the status of a notorious IPOB commander alleged to have resurfaced after earlier claims of his capture, warning that unresolved security concerns could undermine the gains recorded.

The reopening follows Governor Soludo’s January 26 ultimatum to traders, in which he threatened to shut the market for one week if the directive to resume Monday trading was ignored. While some traders had argued that Mondays should remain a rest day after a full week of commercial activity, others said they observed the sit-at-home in protest against the continued detention of the proscribed IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Many more admitted that fear of violent attacks by gunmen had kept them away from their shops.

In response, the governor had promised extensive security arrangements to protect traders and customers — an assurance that appeared to bolster confidence and pave the way for Monday’s reopening, widely seen as a critical step toward restoring normalcy and economic stability in Anambra State.