The Anambra State Government has officially abolished the long-standing Monday sit-at-home practice, issuing an Executive Order mandating the reopening of schools and offices on Mondays, with strict salary penalties for defiant workers.
Under the directive, any teacher or non-tutorial staff who fails to report to school or office on Mondays risks losing up to 20 per cent of their salary or forfeiting it entirely.
The order was conveyed in a circular dated January 22, 2026, signed by the Board Secretary of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Loveline Mgbemena. The letter was addressed to permanent board members, education officers overseeing the state’s 21 local government areas, zonal directors and departmental heads.
Titled “Executive Order on Termination of Monday Sit-at-Home in Anambra State,” the circular instructed senior officials to immediately disseminate the directive to staff under their supervision and ensure full compliance.
According to the letter, the decision followed a State Executive Council retreat held on January 21, 2026, presided over by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
“Sequel to the State Exco retreat held on January 21, 2026 presided by the State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, I am directed to inform you that the state government has decided that the protracted Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State has been abolished with immediate effect,” the letter stated.
It further warned that “any staff, both tutorial and non-tutorial, who fails to attend school or office on Mondays will either receive 20 per cent of his or her salary or forfeit it entirely.”
Mgbemena emphasised that the directive represents an executive decision of the state government and must be strictly enforced.
The Monday sit-at-home practice in Anambra and other South-East states began on August 9, 2021, after the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) declared a weekly shutdown to demand the release of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB had instructed residents to restrict movement and ordered the closure of schools, markets and motor parks every Monday.
Although IPOB later announced a suspension of the order, widespread fear of attacks and reprisals has continued to keep schools, businesses and government offices largely deserted on Mondays.
The Soludo administration has repeatedly called for a return to normal academic and economic activities, arguing that the sit-at-home has severely disrupted education, deepened poverty and hindered governance in the state.
However, the latest directive has raised concerns among teachers and school workers, many of whom argue that security fears — rather than allegiance to IPOB — have compelled residents to remain indoors.
Despite these concerns, the Anambra State Government appears resolute in enforcing the order, using salary deductions as leverage to end what it describes as a prolonged disruption of public life in the state.
