Peter Obi Condemns Alleged N700,000 Reopening Fee For Onitsha Market Traders, Urges Government Compassion

Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed strong concern over reports that traders at the Onitsha Head Bridge Market—popularly known as Ọgbọ Ọgwụ—are being required to pay a N700,000 fee to reopen their shops following a regulatory enforcement operation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Obi’s remarks come in response to a viral video shared by social commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, in which the influencer alleged that shop owners are being asked to pay exorbitant sums before they can resume business activities after the market’s partial shutdown earlier this year.
In a statement issued via his official X handle on Tuesday, Obi recalled his visit to the market during its initial closure. He reaffirmed his support for efforts to curb the distribution of fake and substandard drugs but cautioned against measures that unduly punish legitimate traders.
“I recall visiting the Head Bridge Market during the initial phase of its closure, standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods,” Obi said.
“I did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges.”
Obi decried the reported N700,000 reopening fee as a “disturbing” and “insensitive” burden on traders who have already suffered immense economic hardship during the market’s closure.
“It is deeply unfortunate to learn that shop owners are now being asked to pay N700,000 to reopen their stores. Already, over 7 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have collapsed in the past two years in Nigeria,” he said.
“Our MSME businesses are at a ‘we can’t breathe’ stage, and the very system that should be offering them oxygen to support their breathing is instead suffocating them.”
Obi called on both federal and state authorities to immediately intervene by reviewing and eliminating the reopening fee, emphasizing that prolonged closure and financial penalties could amount to “economic sabotage.”
“These shop owners have already endured prolonged closures, mounting unpaid bills, and economic strain. Adding further burdens to them and their families at this time is simply unjust,” Obi added.
NAFDAC, in a statement signed by Director General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, explained that the enforcement operation—conducted between February 9 and March 27, 2025—targeted unregistered, banned, expired, substandard, and falsified medicines across three major open drug markets: Idumota in Lagos, Ariaria in Aba, and Bridgehead Market in Onitsha.
The agency said these markets account for approximately 80% of medications distributed in Nigeria and across parts of Africa. It said its action was taken to protect public health, following reports of widespread regulatory breaches.
Since the market’s partial reopening on March 9, 2025, NAFDAC noted that over 2,500 traders operating 3,500 shops have resumed business. The agency, however, did not directly confirm the N700,000 fee allegation, stating only that traders who complied with regulatory requirements have been allowed to return.
NAFDAC also reported that over N1 trillion worth of unfit medicines were seized and destroyed during the operations. The agency cited noncompliance with Good Storage and Distribution Practices and the lack of proper registration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria as reasons for the crackdown.
As part of recovery efforts, NAFDAC confirmed that state governments granted a moratorium to allow traders time to relocate to Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) that meet regulatory standards. The move aims to establish a more controlled and compliant pharmaceutical supply chain in the country.
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