[BREAKING]: NANTS Sends Strong Warning to Southeast Traders—Monday Sit-At-Home Is Destroying Igbo Economy, Not Pressuring Govt

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The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has issued a fresh and urgent call on traders and market leaders across Nigeria’s South-East to immediately abandon the weekly Monday sit-at-home, warning that the practice has become economically suicidal for the region.

In a strongly worded statement released from Abuja, NANTS declared that the shutdown—initially introduced as a political protest—has outlived its usefulness and now inflicts severe damage on traders, transporters, families and small businesses, while leaving the federal government completely unaffected.

“Sit-At-Home No Longer Makes Sense” — NANTS

NANTS noted that recent months have shown visible improvements in security and commercial activities in the South-East, particularly during the 2025 Christmas season when millions of Igbo citizens returned home peacefully to trade and celebrate.

According to the association, this progress risks being reversed by heavy-handed governance actions and poor crisis management.

Outrage Over Onitsha Market Shutdown

The traders’ association strongly criticised the forceful closure of Onitsha Main Market by Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, describing the move as provocative, ill-advised and capable of reigniting regional unrest.

NANTS warned that such actions could trigger resistance from traders and revive the declining sit-at-home culture across the South-East, spreading insecurity beyond Anambra State.

The association also lamented what it described as the collective failure of South-East political leaders to meaningfully push for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, noting that political lobbying elsewhere in the country has yielded better results for similar causes.

Security Agencies Accused of Fueling Hardship

Beyond government actions, NANTS accused some security operatives in the region of worsening traders’ suffering by engaging in toll collection and extortion rather than ensuring free and safe movement of goods, people and services—especially on Mondays.

Massive Economic Losses Revealed

NANTS disclosed that sustained Monday shutdowns have caused devastating losses across major commercial hubs such as Onitsha, Aba, Nnewi, Owerri and Enugu.

The association listed the consequences as:

• Multi-trillion-naira losses to commerce

• Collapse of small and medium enterprises

• Loss of daily income for market women and transport workers

• Decline in state revenue

• Rising insecurity and investor flight

• Disruption of schools, healthcare and supply chains

It added that foreign traders from West and Central Africa now avoid South-East markets entirely due to fear and uncertainty.

“The Pain Is Local, Not Federal”

NANTS stressed that despite years of economic shutdowns, there has been no measurable policy shift from the federal government.

“The government remains unmoved, while traders bleed weekly,” the statement said, insisting that the burden of the protest has fallen squarely on the South-East economy.

NANTS’ Demands and Proposals

The association called for:

• Immediate reopening of Onitsha Main Market

• De-escalation of force by Anambra State authorities

• Genuine security reforms across the South-East

• Political unity among South-East governors to pursue the release of Nnamdi Kanu

• Creative incentives to revive Monday trading, including government-backed market activities

Direct Appeal to Traders

NANTS urged traders to reject coercion, reopen their shops on Mondays and adopt peaceful, non-economic-destructive ways of expressing grievances.

“Our economy is built on commerce. Shutting it down weekly is self-destruction,” NANTS warned.

Commitment Going Forward

The association pledged continued advocacy for traders’ rights, exposure of intimidation tactics, recovery of lost customers and collaboration with governments to restore confidence in South-East markets.

“Choose livelihoods over shutdowns. The future of our families and markets depends on it,” the statement concluded.

Signed:
Barr. Benjamin Izuchukwu Uzuegbu
Legal Officer, NANTS (Abuja Headquarters)