Anambra State Moves to Enforce Monday Work and School Attendance with New Directive

The Anambra State Government has issued a formal executive order ending the long-standing Monday sit-at-home practice, mandating all schools and offices to operate fully and imposing potential salary penalties on non-compliant staff.

In a letter dated January 22, 2026, from the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Board Secretary Loveline Mgbemena stated that the order follows a State Executive Council retreat presided over by Governor Chukwuma Soludo. The directive states that any teaching or non-teaching staff absent on Mondays may face a 20% salary deduction or complete forfeiture of pay.

The communication, titled “Executive Order on Termination of Monday Sit-at-Home in Anambra State,” was addressed to senior education officials across the state’s 21 local government areas, instructing them to ensure strict compliance.

The Monday sit-at-home tradition began in August 2021 after a directive from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has since been officially suspended. However, despite the suspension, many schools, businesses, and public offices have remained closed on Mondays due to persistent security concerns and caution among residents.

The state government has consistently argued that the practice severely disrupts education, economic activity, and governance. The latest order represents its strongest measure yet to restore normalcy.

While authorities are pushing for full compliance, the directive has raised apprehension among some teachers and workers. They cite ongoing safety fears as the primary reason for Monday absences, rather than support for the suspended sit-at-home order.

The government has emphasized that the directive is an executive decision and expects full adherence as part of its effort to revitalize public and economic life in the state.