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By Sunny A. David, Awka
Following social media reports claiming the continued closure of the Ọgbọ-Ọgwụ Market in Onitsha, the Anambra State Government conducted a fact-finding tour on Wednesday, May 27, 2025.
The tour, led by Information Commissioner Dr. Law Mefor and Health Commissioner Dr. Afam Obidike, aimed to verify the market’s operational status following Governor Soludo’s February visit.
The government team found that the market has been largely reopened since March 2025, with approximately 95% of shops operational.
Their findings were confirmed by the Ọgbọ-Ọgwụ Market’s leadership, the NAFDAC representative, Pharm. Omoyeni Babatunji, Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement, South South/South East Region, and observations made during the tour itself.
Commissioner Mefor explained that the remaining closed shops are due to either outstanding fines levied by NAFDAC or trader reluctance to participate in profiling exercises.
He reassured the public that the government would continue to work with NAFDAC to facilitate the reopening of these shops.
Commissioner Obidike reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the traders’ welfare, highlighting the ongoing construction of a new, modern drug market in Oba with improved storage facilities.
NAFDAC’s Pharm. Babatunji confirmed that the majority of shops had reopened following a nationwide exercise addressing substandard storage practices.
Ọgbọ-Ọgwụ Market Chairman, Hon. Ndubuisi Chukwuleta, stated that the market reopened on March 7th, 2025, after NAFDAC concluded their inspection.
He attributed the shorter closure period (compared to previous similar exercises) to Governor Soludo’s intervention, which also led to a reduction in fines from ₦2 million to ₦500,000 and the streamlining of the clearance process.
He further explained that the fines were imposed due to inadequate storage facilities, a nationwide issue, and praised the Governor for his support in securing a new, government-funded market in Oba.
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