Time has run out for traders and occupants of illegal structures at Onitsha Main Market.
Today, Saturday February 28, 2026, marks the final day of a grace period granted to owners and occupants of illegal structures at Park 1, Park 2 and Park 3 of the popular commercial hub, as the Onitsha North Local Government Authority prepares to move in with demolition equipment from tomorrow, Sunday March 1, 2026.
The notice, which has been circulating widely, states that the local government will carry out the demolition of all marked illegal structures anytime from Sunday and has advised anyone who still has valuables inside the affected structures to remove them before midnight tonight.
This is not the first warning. The local government had initially issued a 14-day demolition notice which expired on February 14, 2026. Following appeals from affected occupants, authorities granted a second extension of another 14 days, a gesture of goodwill that itself expires today.
The structures in question are located across three parks within the Main Market complex, one of the largest and busiest markets in West Africa. The market serves as a commercial lifeline for thousands of traders, suppliers and buyers across the southeast and beyond, making the scale of the demolition exercise significant both economically and socially.
As of today, affected occupants are advised to make efforts to evacuate goods and personal belongings from the marked structures before the window closes permanently.
The local government has not issued any statement indicating that further appeals will be entertained. As far as Onitsha North Local Government is concerned, the matter is settled and tomorrow, the bulldozers move in
