The Government of Anambra State hereby informs the general public that Onitsha Main Market will remain closed from Monday, January 26, 2026, to Saturday, January 31, 2026. The market will reopen for business on Monday, February 2, 2026.
A release issued by the Commissioner for information, Dr Law Mefor, on January 26, 2026, intimated that the closure followed non-compliance with the government’s directive to end the Monday Sit-at-Home, which costs the state up to N8 billion as part of N19.6 billion in the South East every week, while disrupting work and economic activities, leaving the state haemorrhaging.
The release warned traders that if they are not ready to resume trading on Monday, February 2, 2026, and indeed every other Monday, the market will face a one-month closure next Monday.
It advised the general public to stay away from the Main Market during this period to avoid any unpleasant encounters with security personnel already deployed to the area.
The release added that furthermore, all other markets in Anambra State remain open and are expected to operate on Mondays, warning that any market found closed on Mondays will face a similar closure.
The government assured traders and citizens alike of maximum security and encouraged them to report security breaches to 5111.
