Eid-el-Kabir: Prices Of Rams And Commodities Skyrocket As Muslims Prepare For Celebration

As Muslims gear up for celebrations across the country, the costs of rams, foodstuffs and other essential commodities have suddenly shot up.

Muslims are preparing for Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, which include animal sacrifices as part of the religious rites.

In Kaduna State, however, many markets visited during the survey showed that although there were many rams, goats and chickens on sale, the prices had gone up beyond expectations. But the price of these animals varies according to size and many prospective buyers complained of the hike in prices.

For instance, rams go for between N300,000 and N1 million in some markets like the Central Market depending on their sizes.

Even if Muslims use chickens at times when they cannot afford to purchase rams, the prices of chickens have also gone up a little. A chicken of 3 months is now sold between N20,000 and N30,000 while a bag of rice hit N80,000 as of Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Alhaji Bulama, Senior Manager, Rams Sellers Association, in an interview, said the prices went up as a result of lack of rams, and insecurity that has rendered many families homeless across the country.

“Many families, especially those who keep animals in local villages, have fled their homes because of attacks by the insurgents. They don’t rear animals anymore. Now only a few people are keeping animals. “Again, the cost of feeding these animals is extremely high,” he said.

Also, Mallam Musa Adamu, a seller of various animals at Television Market said the cost of transporting the animals is very high and this has necessitated the increase in prices.

“Because of insecurity, it has continued in the Northern region and residents can not rear household animals. So we buy these animals and carry them from far distances. They are expensive because the transportation cost is added to the selling price,” he said.

But Dr. Musa, who has vowed to slaughter a ram this season, said he would buy one whatever the cost, adding that “as Muslims, slaughtering an animal is a necessity, though not compulsory. It depends how big your pocket is,” he said.

I have resolved to kill a ram this season, at any cost, for I planned it long ago.

“I advise all our Muslim brothers to be careful in the celebration and pay for what they can afford. They should not take out loans to celebrate. Sallah is a yearly celebration; if they can’t afford it this year, maybe they will be able to in the years to come.”