The Anambra State Government has officially abolished the long-standing Monday sit-at-home across the state, declaring that the directive takes effect immediately.
The decision was communicated in a statement signed by the Board Secretary of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mgbemena Loveline E., following deliberations at the State Executive Council retreat held on January 21, 2026.
According to the statement, the government has directed all civil servants, including both teaching and non-teaching staff, to resume full official duties on Mondays. Any worker who fails to report to work on that day risks severe salary penalties.
“Consequent upon the State Exco retreat presided over by the Executive Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the protracted Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State has been abolished with immediate effect,” the statement read.
It added that any staff member who absents himself or herself from duty on Mondays would either be paid only 20 per cent of their monthly salary or forfeit it entirely.
Heads of departments and institutions were instructed to circulate the directive to all staff under their supervision and ensure strict compliance, stressing that the order represents an executive decision of the state government.
Impact of Monday Shutdown
For several years, many parts of Anambra State have experienced near-total shutdowns every Monday, as residents stayed indoors due to fear associated with the sit-at-home practice.
Originally enforced by non-state actors in the South-East, the weekly restriction disrupted economic and social life, forcing markets, schools, banks, and offices to close at the beginning of each week.
The practice has been widely criticised for its negative impact on the state’s economy, with traders, transport operators, students, and artisans losing productive hours, particularly in commercial centres such as Onitsha.
Government’s Efforts to Restore Normalcy
Governor Soludo has consistently led efforts to dismantle the sit-at-home culture. In April 2022, he formally announced its end, assuring residents of improved security and offering amnesty to youths willing to renounce violence.
The governor also initiated dialogue through a peace and reconciliation committee and pledged engagement with federal authorities over detained individuals as part of broader peace-building measures.
In recent remarks, Soludo maintained that the sit-at-home practice has largely faded, noting that those who still observe it do so out of personal caution rather than real security threats.
He has repeatedly urged residents to return to normal economic activities, insisting that Anambra is safe and open for business, even as some citizens remain hesitant due to lingering fears.