The Anambra State Government has announced it will begin paying workers on a pro-rata basis from February 2026 to end the Monday sit-at-home directive enforced by the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said the decision was taken during the state executive council retreat to address persistent absenteeism on Mondays.
“The retreat acknowledged that even though these factors existed in the past, they no longer exist, making them invalid reasons for absenteeism from work. The workers were simply enjoying the sit-at-home because they know that whether they come to work or not, they will be paid salaries,” Mefor stated.
Under the new policy, salaries will be calculated based on 24 working days per month. Workers who fail to report on Mondays will lose a proportionate part of their pay.
Mefor explained that the state had suffered “trillions” in economic losses since the sit-at-home began. “Any day civil servants fail to come to work, it means that the state government’s business will stagnate and, by implication, the economy of the state will stagnate.”
He said the government considered treating the issue as absenteeism under civil service law—which could lead to dismissal—but opted for the pro-rata approach instead. Forms are being devised for workers to clock in and out on Mondays.
The commissioner added that negotiations are ongoing with market leaders to encourage traders to open on Mondays, while security is being boosted to build public confidence.
The sit-at-home order was declared by IPOB in 2021 but later suspended by the group. However, compliance has persisted in parts of the Southeast over security fears. The Anambra government’s move aims to restore full economic activity on Mondays across the state.
