The Anambra State Government has formally ended the long-observed Monday sit-at-home, marking a decisive shift in policy as it seeks to restore normal economic and educational activities across the state.
Backed by an Executive Order, the directive mandates full operation of schools and public offices on Mondays, with stiff sanctions for workers who fail to comply. Teachers and non-teaching staff who stay away from work risk a deduction of up to 20 per cent of their monthly salary or, in extreme cases, total forfeiture of pay.
The development was conveyed in a circular dated January 22, 2026, issued by the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) and signed by its Board Secretary, Mrs Loveline Mgbemena. The circular was addressed to permanent members of the board, education officers in the state’s 21 local government areas, zonal directors and heads of departments.
Mrs Mgbemena directed senior officials to ensure the information is disseminated to all staff under their supervision and to enforce the order strictly, describing it as an executive decision of the state government.
According to the circular, the decision was reached during a State Executive Council retreat held on January 21, 2026, under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo. The government resolved that the prolonged Monday shutdown had outlived its usefulness and was undermining governance, learning outcomes and economic productivity.
The circular stated that any staff member, academic or non-academic, who fails to report for duty on a Monday would face financial penalties, reinforcing the administration’s determination to end the practice decisively.
The Monday sit-at-home tradition in Anambra and other parts of the South-East dates back to August 2021, when the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) introduced a weekly shutdown as part of its agitation for the release of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu. The directive led to the closure of schools, markets and transport services on Mondays, with significant social and economic consequences.
By abolishing the sit-at-home, the Soludo administration is signalling a renewed commitment to order, productivity and public confidence, as it moves to stabilise the state and reassert governmental authority over public space and civic life.
