Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo
Anambra State Government has issued a new directive requiring traders in the state’s 41 major markets to formally notify market authorities before closing their shops on market days. This measure aims to curb unauthorized shutdowns that have long disrupted commerce in the region.
The directive was adnnounced through the official Anambra State Government X (formerly Twitter) handle.The order mandates that any trader intending to close their shop on a market day must inform the market leadership in advance and provide a valid reason for the closure.
The government emphasized strict enforcement, warning that traders who fail to comply with the directive will face sanctions. “Any trader who disobeys this law will be sanctioned,” the statement declared.
This move is part of Governor Charles Soludo’s administration’s broader strategy to restore uninterrupted commercial activity and enforce compliance with the policy against the Monday sit-at-home practice—a recurring disruption that has affected business and mobility across the South-East for years, with Anambra frequently experiencing forced closures.
In a notable enforcement action earlier this year, Governor Soludo ordered the closure of Onitsha Main Market for one week in January 2026 after traders defied the state’s directive to end the sit-at-home order by refusing to open on a Monday. Christian Aburime, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, explained that the closure was necessary to restore normalcy and safeguard the state’s economy.
Governor Soludo has taken a firm stance against any actions undermining public safety and official directives, describing the unauthorized shutdowns as “plain economic sabotage.” He warned that continued defiance could result in harsher penalties, including the possibility of sealing markets for up to a month.
“You either decide that you are going to trade here or you go elsewhere. I am very serious about this,” Soludo told traders, underscoring the government’s resolve to maintain order and economic stability.
The latest directive places the onus on individual traders to communicate planned closures to market executives, reflecting the government’s intensified efforts to discourage unauthorized sit-at-home orders and ensure sustained commercial activity throughout Anambra State.
