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The Anambra State Government has ended the closure of schools on Mondays linked to sit-at-home observances, directing that all schools resume normal operations at the start of the week.
The directive was communicated in a letter dated January 22, 2026, signed by the Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Board, Loveline Mgbemena.
According to the letter, teachers and non-teaching staff who fail to report to work on Mondays will face salary sanctions, ranging from receiving only 20 percent of their monthly pay to forfeiting it entirely.
Mgbemena directed permanent board members, education officers in the 21 local government areas, zonal directors, and departmental heads to ensure that the directive is brought to the attention of all staff and fully enforced.
She said the decision followed a state executive council retreat held on January 21, 2026, presided over by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The letter, titled “Executive Order on Termination of Monday Sit-at-Home in Anambra State”, stated that the long-standing Monday sit-at-home practice in the state had been abolished with immediate effect.
“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 directed, and also as a decision, that the protracted Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State has been abolished with immediate effect,” the letter said.
“By this directive, any staff, both tutorial and non-tutorial, that fails to attend school or office on Monday will either receive 20 percent of his/her salary or forfeit it entirely.
“You are to bring the content of this letter to the notice of all staff under you and ensure adequate compliance.
“Please be properly guided, as the above is the executive decision of the state government.”
The Monday sit-at-home practice began on August 9, 2021, after the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) declared weekly shutdowns across the South-East to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing trial in Nigeria.
Although IPOB later announced the suspension of the sit-at-home directive, many residents of Anambra State have continued to observe it due to fear of violence and attacks.
“There has been some discussion whether we must continue our ghost town in Biafraland. I wish to announce this very (Friday) evening that as directed by the highest command of this movement, our Monday ghost town or sit-at-home in Biafra land stands suspended,” IPOB said.
