Anambra State has officially ended the long-standing Monday shutdown as the iconic Onitsha Main Market reopened for full commercial activity, marking the close of nearly five years of economic disruption caused by the sit-at-home order.
The reopening followed a firm directive from Governor Chukwuma Soludo that all markets and institutions across the state must operate fully on Mondays, a policy shift he has consistently framed as an economic necessity rather than a political statement.
The governor described the prolonged shutdown not as a protest but as an enforced paralysis of commerce, amounting to economic sabotage.
Signalling strong executive resolve, Governor Soludo personally visited the historic Onitsha Main Market, accompanied by senior government officials and security chiefs.
He interacted with traders, engaged customers, and purchased locally made goods, underscoring his administration’s commitment to reviving what is widely regarded as one of West Africa’s largest commercial hubs and a critical node in Nigeria’s informal and formal supply chains.
From as early as 7:00 a.m Local time, market gates were opened and shops resumed operations, with widespread compliance observed across trading lines.
A heavy security presence, comprising the military, police, and the state-backed Agunechemba Security Squad, was deployed at major junctions and within the market, providing reassurance to traders and customers alike.
Also Read: Anambra Governor Shuts Onitsha Main Market Over Monday Closures
For many business operators, the reopening marks a turning point after years of lost revenue, disrupted cash flows, and weakened consumer confidence.
“Seven days of closure every week is not sustainable for any business,” said trader Ofoma Charles. “You keep spending, but nothing is coming in.”
While welcoming the development, he urged the government to maintain robust security to address lingering fears and improve customer turnout.
Echoing the sentiment, Sir Chukwudi Oguike, Chairman of Egoma Intercontinental Limited, described the reopening as a long-awaited relief for traders. “This market is the lifeblood of thousands of families and businesses. We are happy it is finally open every Monday,” he said, while also calling for inclusive consultations on the proposed market regeneration plan to avoid displacing long-established traders.
Local authorities and market leadership also hailed the move as a major economic milestone. The Mayor of Onitsha North Local Government Area, Tony Nwora, said the reopening restored productivity to a market that had been shut on Mondays for over four years.
“This administration understands that Anambra cannot thrive with recurrent closures of markets, schools, and banks. Sustaining growth requires collective responsibility,” he noted.
The Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market Association, Chijioke Okparaugo, confirmed full compliance, declaring that “the era of Monday sit-at-home is over,” while the Anambra State Police Command reported over 80 percent compliance statewide.
Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said proactive security measures had significantly reduced incidents previously associated with the shutdown.
Political and civic groups also weighed in, with APGA Media Warriors’ National Coordinator, Chinedu Obigwe, describing the development as a “victory for the people and the economy of Anambra,” noting the absence of intimidation that once enforced compliance.
Security officials assured traders of sustained protection. Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, said the Agunechemba Squad would remain fully deployed across markets.
“We are reclaiming our Mondays and restoring confidence in lawful enterprise,” he said.
The Monday sit-at-home, introduced in 2021 by separatist groups as a form of civil disobedience, had imposed severe economic costs on Anambra State and the wider South-East, disrupting trade logistics, weakening small and medium enterprises, and eroding regional competitiveness.
With Monday trading restored, analysts say the move could improve market liquidity, stabilise supply chains, and gradually rebuild business confidence in one of Nigeria’s most commercially vibrant regions.
As Onitsha Main Market buzzed back to life, the message from the state government was clear: Anambra is open for business, every day of the week.