Business activities have resumed at the Onitsha Main Market following compliance by traders with a directive issued by Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo.

The governor had ordered the closure of the market for one week after observing what he described as widespread compliance with the Monday sit-at-home directive imposed by non-state actors. He also warned that failure by traders to reopen after the shutdown would attract further closures, potentially for longer periods.

One week after the suspension of trading activities, the situation appears to have shifted, with traders returning to their shops in large numbers. A visit to the market on Monday showed that commercial activities had resumed, with many shops opening as early as 8:45 a.m.

From Egerton Street through Ose Foodstuff Market to Young Park—one of the major access points into the Main Market—traders were seen arranging their goods for sale. Similar scenes were observed around Emeka Offor Plaza, Sokoto Road, Lagos Line and Marine areas, where several shops had reopened and customers had begun patronising businesses.

The development indicates growing compliance with the state government’s directive to disregard the sit-at-home order and restore normal economic activities in the commercial hub.