Markets, shops and stalls across Akure, Ondo State, will be closed on Monday, August 17, and Tuesday, September 1, 2026, as part of activities marking the annual Aheregbe and Amole festivals.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure, Adeyeye Michael, on behalf of the palace.
According to the statement, the temporary closure is a requirement for the observance of the longstanding traditional festivals in the ancient city.
The palace directed traders and shop owners to ensure that their businesses remained shut throughout the two designated days.
It warned that trading or opening of shops under any guise would not be permitted during the festival observances.
The statement urged residents, market women and shop owners to take note of the directive and comply accordingly.
It, however, clarified that only registered pharmacy shops would be permitted to operate during the festival, stressing that patent medicine stores were excluded from the exemption.
Despite the closure of markets and shops, the palace said there would be no restriction on the movement of people or vehicles in Akure during the festival days.
The statement was signed by Michael on behalf of the Deji of Akure’s Palace on August 14, 2026.