The Southeast region of Nigeria incurred economic losses exceeding ₦7.6 trillion during the first two years of the sit-at-home protests, according to a newly released report by SBM Intelligence. Titled “Four Years of Disruption: Unmasking the Impact of IPOB’s Sit-at-Home Order in Southeast Nigeria”, the report highlights that the protests resulted in an estimated revenue loss of between 50 to 70 percent, significantly impacting the region’s economy.
By August 2025, it will mark four years since the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) implemented the sit-at-home directive across the Southeast. IPOB, a secessionist group advocating for the re-establishment of the defunct Republic of Biafra, bases its movement on long standing grievances of marginalisation stemming from the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War.
Originally launched on 9 August 2021 as a weekly demonstration to demand the release of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, the protest has evolved into a sustained and highly disruptive action. Kanu’s re-arrest in mid-2021 reignited public sentiment, solidifying the observance of Monday shutdowns across the region.
According to the report, “Though the sit-at-home protests began as symbolic acts of civil disobedience, they quickly took on a more coercive character.” It notes that initial compliance was largely fueled by fear and sympathy, but recent surveys indicate that only about 29 percent of residents still support the order, with the majority adhering out of fear for their safety.
The protests have been marred by violent enforcement from armed elements commonly referred to as “unknown gunmen,” who intimidate and sometimes attack individuals attempting to go about their regular activities on designated protest days. This has created a deepening sense of insecurity in the region.
Key commercial centers such as Onitsha and Ariaria markets have experienced near-total shutdowns every Monday, severely hindering trade and affecting supply chains nationwide. The report estimates that the region lost over ₦7.6 trillion in the first two years of the protests, with the transport sector reportedly incurring daily losses of up to ₦13 billion during peak periods.
Education has also suffered significantly. Students have missed critical learning periods and important national examinations such as WAEC and NECO, undermining long-term efforts to build human capital in the region.
The Eastern Security Network (ESN), established by IPOB in December 2020, was initially formed to protect rural communities from violent incursions by groups like Fulani herdsmen. However, the ESN has since been associated with several violent confrontations with state security agencies, employing guerrilla tactics in attacks on police and military installations and further intensifying instability.
The government’s response through military operations such as Python Dance and Crocodile Smile has come under scrutiny for alleged human rights violations, worsening tensions with local communities. According to SBM Intelligence, resolving the crisis will require more than military intervention.
“A lasting solution calls for structural reforms, inclusive political dialogue, and sincere efforts to rebuild trust between the government and communities in the Southeast,” the report concluded.
