The standoff is over. The Anambra State Government and the powerful trading blocs of Onitsha Main Market have reached a landmark agreement to commence a phased remodelling of West Africa’s largest market, ending weeks of tension and uncertainty.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who had previously ordered the market's closure to force compliance, announced the breakthrough after a tense but fruitful dialogue at the Government House in Awka. The deal—dubbed "Option 2"—balances the state’s vision for a modern commercial city with the traders' need for business continuity.

Modernization Meets Tradition

The Onitsha market, a chaotic but vital economic engine, has long been overdue for an upgrade. Soludo’s administration insisted that the current state of the market was "literally dead" due to congestion and poor planning.

• The Compromise: Instead of a total shutdown, the remodelling will happen in strict phases.Traders will be given a grace period to move their inventory before heavy machinery moves in.
• The Scope: The facelift includes reclaiming parking lots, restoring walkways, building modern conveniences, and enforcing a unified colour-code for shops.

"Inconvenient but Necessary"

"Leadership requires taking inconvenient steps to secure the future," Soludo told the traders. "We must choose between the chaos of yesterday and the prosperity of tomorrow."

Market leader Chijioke Okpalaugo confirmed the traders' buy-in, acknowledging that while the process will be painful, the survival of the Onitsha brand depends on it. The agreement signals a rare win for dialogue in a region often plagued by heavy-handed enforcement.