Ahead of the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir celebration on Friday, Muslim faithful across the country have lamented the high cost of ram, while opting for alternatives while farmers and foodstuff traders have lamented low patronage of foodstuff this Sallah season due to inflation which affected consumers purchasing power.
A cross-section of Muslim faithful in the Gwagwalada community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have said they will celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir modestly due to the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
In an interview with NAN, residents noted that the current economic situation had drastically changed the way they observed the celebration compared to previous years.
They stressed that the current economic hardship demanded greater caution and restraint, as many could no longer afford extravagant celebrations.
Mr Munir Tukur, a businessman and father of three, said he had been forced to scale down his celebrations due to the rising cost of living and dwindling income.
“I remember how I used to celebrate Sallah with family and friends, but now I can no longer afford that kind of celebration. I’m struggling to keep my business afloat.
“This year’s Sallah will be different. My family will make do with what I can provide, trusting that Allah will make next year better,” he said.
Mr Kabiru Sale, a civil servant with the Gwagwalada Area Council, also lamented his inability to celebrate due to unpaid salary arrears.
“I thank Allah for granting me another Sallah in good health, but I lack the means to celebrate. I haven’t been paid in months, and we’re still on strike. How can I celebrate when I’m struggling just to feed my family?”
Sale said this would be the first Sallah his children would celebrate without new clothes, and appealed to the Area Council chairman to settle outstanding salaries so workers could return to work.
Meanwhile, some residents said the economic challenges would not prevent them from celebrating and enjoying the festivities.
Mr Aliyu Sanusi, a businessman, said he had saved specifically for the season and planned to celebrate in style.
“No matter the economy, I always look forward to Sallah. I’ve already bought clothes for my wife and children. It’s a joy to be alive, and I won’t take that for granted,” he said.
Mrs Zainab Sani, a public servant, also expressed optimism. She said she and her husband were pooling their resources to make sure their family could still enjoy the celebration.
“It will be a big celebration for us this year, and we’re grateful to Allah for the opportunity. Since we’re not traveling, we’ll host friends and neighbours and enjoy the holiday together,” she said.
A correspondent who visited some markets in Gwagwalada observed that while many food prices remain relatively stable, some items such as tomatoes, peppers, and vegetables have seen a slight increase.
A bucket of tomatoes now sells for between N3,500 and N4,000, up from N2,600. A large basket of tomatoes has increased from N55,000 to N70,000.
Eid Kabir: Farmers, traders lament low sales
Meanwhile, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and foodstuff traders in Lagos have lamented low patronage of foodstuff this Sallah season due to inflation which affected consumers purchasing power.
The association and the traders disclosed this in separate interviews with NAN on Thursday in Lagos.
The Lagos State AFAN Vice Chairman, Mr Shakin Agbayewa, said consumers purchasing power had reduced in spite of the drop in the price of some produce in the country.
“The celebration this year is associated with mixed feelings. Some of the produce have dropped in price but the purchasing power of the people have dropped.
“The price of a bag of rice in Lagos State and its environs is between N51,000 and N57,000 depending on the location. However, people can buy rice, the ram but have no money to buy pepper to cook for the Sallah.
“For pepper, as of today, pepper is on the high side. It is really on the high side. A lot of people are complaining about pepper.
“We encourage people to start cultivating pepper in the state. The cost of transportation is what has made pepper costly at this celebration season.
“Sometimes, I think, the price hike of these produce during the Sallah celebration is intentional, the traders just want to make extra profit because of the celebration.
“After the celebration, the prices of pepper and tomatoes I believe will drop,” Agbayewa said.
On her part, Mrs Tolu Agunbiade, a foodstuff trader at Agege area of the state, said patronage was quite low when compared with 2024 Sallah.
“The price of rice has drastically dropped in comparison to last year’s Sallah celebration. A bag of rice now sells between N56,000 and N62,000 depending on the location and species. In comparison to last year’s celebration, a bag sold at N98,000 to N110,000.
“However, the purchasing power of the consumers is quite low, people are not buying as they ought to, even with the reduced price.
“Even the price of groundnut oil has dropped, last year a five litre keg sold for N13,000 to N16,000, presently, the same quantity sells at N10,000 but the patronage is quite low,” Agunbiade said.
A caterer and foodstuff trader, Mrs Pat Gbagi, said prices would drop after the Sallah celebration, while urging consumers to be patient.
“This week, the price of tomatoes and pepper is quite high due to the Sallah celebration.
“The cost of pepper is astronomically high, a bag of pepper at Mile 12 market sold at N200,000 but today the same quantity sells between N250,000 and N300,000.
“If not the celebration, I do not advise anyone to go to the market this week. However, people will only buy what they can afford,” Gbagi said.
Sallah: Ram traders lament rising preference to cows
Also, some ram traders in Lagos State have lamented the preference for cows to rams by Muslim faithful this 2025 Eid Kabir celebration. The traders disclosed this in separate interviews on Thursday in Lagos.
The traders told NAN that most people prefer to buy cows than rams because of the size and the fact that five families could buy and share for the celebration.
“A ram trader, Mr Ibrahim Hassan, at the Lawanson area of the state, said patronage has been decent, but with an interesting twist.
“The patronage this year is not bad, but I have noticed that people are buying more cows than rams. I believe the reason behind this shift is that cows are more economical and offer better value for money.
“When families or even groups of friends come together, they can share a cow and still fulfil the sacrifice. That way, instead of each person buying a ram for over N500,000, they split the cost.
“The cheapest cow you can get right now is around N800,000, while the cheapest ram starts at about N550,000. Prices also vary depending on the size and weight of the animal.
“I have contacted my sources for more cows, but the market price has gone up since last week. It’s a volatile market, and prices can change quickly,” Hassan said.
Also, Mr Shakiru Gbadamosi, another ram seller at Lawanson, said he noticed that “people are weighing their options this Sallah, and they have been buying more of cows”
“I was surprised to see some buyers turning to cows, and this trend has been on for weeks. Although many still prefer rams for Sallah because it’s about tradition and religious significance.
“The ram is the symbolic animal for the sacrifice, and that’s not something easily replaced.
“Prices have gone up this year, a decent ram now costs between N550,000 and N700,000 depending on the size and breed. But despite that, the demand remains steady.
“Some people have been buying younger rams because they are less expensive but still acceptable.
“The younger rams are sold for between N130,000 and N250,000,” Gbadamosi said.
A buyer, Mr Folajimi Aderibigbe, who confirmed the trend, said buying a cow seems like a better option.
“We are a family of eight, and instead of buying two small rams, we joined with my brother-in-law and bought a cow. It cost us N950,000, but we split it. Everyone still gets to perform their sacrifice and save money.
“Traditionally, rams are the preferred animal for Eid Kabir (Sallah). However, economic realities have changed things, and we must find a way to adapt,” he said.
In a related development, vegetable oil traders said they have observed increased patronage due to the Sallah celebration.
Mrs Linda Nwachukwu, a cooking oil trader at the Lawanson Market, said the demand for cooking oil had increased because of preparations ahead of Sallah.
“The celebration usually increases the demand for groundnut oil. Consumers have been stocking up oil since last week, especially now that there are few days to Sallah.
“Cooking oil prices have risen, but it is cheaper than last December, a 25-litre container cost N110,000, a price that persisted until April 2025.
“A recent price adjustment, just three weeks ago, sets the current rates for groundnut oil at N78,000 for 25 litres, N35,000 for 10 litres, and ₦18,500 for five litres.”
“This is unusual, groundnut oil prices normally surge in December and then decrease by January or February, but it stayed high for a long time,” she said.
Another trader, Mrs Imoleayo Fakunle, said she buys in larger jerrycans and sell in measured portions to customers who cannot afford bigger sizes.
“Not everyone can buy 25 litres or even afford the branded ones, so as a vendor, what I do, is to buy in larger containers and sell in small portions.
“Groundnut oil is expensive, but it is essential. A lot of customers have been buying the measured portions, and they are always happy that they can save money.
“Despite rising prices, customers prioritise the essential ingredient for their celebrations,” she said.
Mrs Taraoluwa Alausa, a consumer at the Idi-Araba Market, said she had learned to prioritise when buying cooking oil since the increase in the price of groundnut oil.
“I purchase measured portions of oil specifically for frying and use a good branded oil for general cooking.
“Lately, I have become more conscious about the type of oil I use. I want something natural and less processed. It’s a bit pricier, but I think it’s good for healthy living.
“However, for this celebration, there is going to be an exception because I will be frying with the measured portions I bought. This way, I can save more and even fry more,” Alausa said.
Eid-el-Kabir: Abeokuta residents lament high cost of ram, settle for alternatives
Similarly, residents of Abeokuta and its environs have lamented the high cost of ram, while opting for alternatives, ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Some of them, who spoke with NAN on Thursday in separate interviews, noted that the exhorbitant prices of sacrificial animals could make them seek alternatives.
Alh. Ganiyu Babalola, a civil servant, explained that he used to buy, at least, two rams to celebrate the festival with his parents and children.
Babalola said the amount spent in 2024 to buy two rams is what he spent buying one this year.
”I remembered I bought the two rams N250,000 each but this year I got one for N470,000. Instead of buying two, I called my siblings and we contributed to buy a cow to support the ram I bought,” he said.
Akande Jimoh, a welder, said he has no plan to buy a ram this year, considering the cost implications.
”I can not afford to buy a ram this year. The price of a big ram ranges from N550,000 to N800,000. Where will I get such money.
“I have decided to take two of the goats I am rearing to celebrate the festival. My God will understand. I wish the government has the power to control the prices of this animals,” he said.
On her part, Mrs Bidemi Ahmed, said “ram, whether big or small is not affordable this year compared to 2024.
“Although, my husband has bought one, but I must say I’m not so happy with the choice he settled for, at the rate of N250,000.
“Gone are those days when they will be begging you to buy, but right now, when you turn your back, they won’t even call you back,” she said.
Mallam Abdulfatah Akanni, an Islamic scholar, described the situation as a challenging moment for Muslims.
“As Muslims, we have to be cautious. Let’s cut our coat according to the size of our clothes,” he said.
A check by NAN to Rounder and Lafenwa ram markets indicated that most people expressed displeasure over the costs of ram.
Malam Yusuf Sanusi, a ram vendor, attributed the high cost of ram to transportation cost and other logistics.
Sanusi explained that transporting the animals from the northern part of the country cost more, compared to last year.
He also attributed the high cost to low supply and insecurity in some parts of the northern states.
Eid-el-Kabir: Ram sellers lament low patronage as prices soar in Osun
Ram traders in Osogbo, Osun, on Thursday lamented low patronage, attributing it to the rising cost and economic hardship in the country.
Some ram sellers, who spoke with NAN, said there was a decline in patronage compared to what was applicable last year due to increase in the price of rams in the market.
Ismail Musa, a trader at the Powerline market, Osogbo, lamented that the patronage was not encouraging compared to last year, noting that the cost of sourcing the rams from the North has affected the price.
Musa said that the patronage was low due to the present economic situation in the country.
“People do not have much money. I have only sold five rams and four goats in the last three days. Last year’s sales were impressive, but this year’s sales have been slow.
“We are selling the big sized ram for N400,000 to N420,000 and the small sized ram between N120,000 and N130,000.
“The rams that we sold for N200,000 last year now selling for N450,000,” he stated.
He identified the cost of transportation from the North as the major factor that had contributed to the rising cost, calling for the reduction in the price of petrol.
Another ram seller, Abioye Saheed, said the medium sized ram is being sold between N350,000 and N500,000 against N200,000 last year.
“Last year, the transportation cost was between N700,000 and N800,000 per trailer, but this year we are paying over N2 million from the northern part of the country,” he disclosed.
A cattle seller in front of Fakunle Comprehensive High School, Osogbo, Laro Suleiman, said that a small sized cow sold for N250,000 in last year is now N450,000.
Suleiman said the cows were transported from Jebba, Kwara, at the rate of N5,000 per one as against N2,500 last year.
“The increase in everything is because of the hike in the price of fuel,” he added.
A buyer, Odunade Kazeem, told NAN that he bought a small sized goat for N50,000.
“This size of goat was sold for N35, 000 last year,” he said.