Anambra State Government Announces Pro-Rata Salary System to End Monday Sit-At-Home
The Anambra State government has unveiled a significant policy shift aimed at permanently ending the long-standing Monday sit-at-home practice across the state. Starting from February 2026, civil servants will receive pro-rata salary payments based on their actual attendance, marking a decisive move to restore normalcy and productivity.
Policy Announcement and Rationale
Dr. Law Mefor, the Commissioner for Information, made the announcement during a briefing in Awka on Saturday, January 24. He explained that the decision was reached at the end-of-tenure retreat of the Anambra State Executive Council, which reviewed Governor Chukwuma Soludo's first four years in office and set priorities for his new term beginning March 17, 2026.
According to Mefor, public and civil servants in Anambra have consistently avoided work on Mondays for the past four years, citing concerns over insecurity and transportation challenges. However, the retreat concluded that these conditions no longer exist and can no longer justify the widespread absenteeism.
"The workers were simply enjoying the sit-at-home because they knew they would be paid whether they came to work or not," Mefor stated. "Ordinarily, this should be treated as absenteeism, which is punishable under civil service rules. But instead of dismissals, the government has opted for pro-rata payment."
Implementation and Economic Impact
The commissioner emphasized that mechanisms are already being established to ensure compliance, including the introduction of attendance forms for clocking in and out every Monday. He highlighted the damaging effects of the persistent Monday shutdown on government productivity and the state's economy.
"Any day civil servants fail to come to work, government business stagnates. Revenue is lost, and there is no guarantee such losses can be recovered," Mefor said. "If agencies like the Internal Revenue Service stay away on Mondays, the state loses significant funds."
He described the new salary structure as a move toward fairness and sustainability, arguing that Anambra cannot afford to "give up Mondays" or switch to Saturday work, which would amount to surrendering to the forces behind the sit-at-home.
Broader Measures and Calculations
Mefor also revealed that discussions are ongoing with market leaders to ensure that markets reopen fully on Mondays, while the government continues to strengthen security measures to reassure traders and workers alike.
On the technical details of the new payment system, Mefor explained that salaries will be divided across 24 working days, with workers earning only for the days they are present. "Four years is enough. The economic loss from the sit-at-home runs into trillions, according to an international firm. Implementation of this decision has already begun," he asserted.
Previous Actions and Context
This development follows an earlier Executive Order issued by the state government, which abolished Monday school closures. The order warned that teachers and non-teaching staff who fail to report to work on Mondays risk losing 20% or all of their monthly salary. Signed by Loveline Mgbemena, Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Board, on January 22, 2026, the directive has been circulated to all education administrators across the state.
The pro-rata salary policy represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the sit-at-home culture, combining financial incentives with stricter attendance monitoring to foster a more productive work environment and stimulate economic recovery in Anambra State.
