As Nigerian Muslims join their counterparts worldwide in celebrating Eid-el-Kabir, the festivities have been overshadowed by a significant surge in the prices of food items and transportation fares.
Rising Costs Affect Festive Preparations
In Ibadan, Oyo State, the escalating food prices have dampened the celebrations, prompting many to make last-minute purchases. At Bodija Market, several Muslim faithful and vendors shared their experiences amid the challenging circumstances. Alhaji Ganiyu, a ram seller, expressed his frustration with this year’s sales, stating, “My stall is usually busy at this time, but this year is different. Many can’t afford to buy even one ram.” A mother, Khadija, recounted her difficulties in preparing for Eid-el-Kabir. Despite saving for months, soaring prices have significantly reduced her budget. “I have kids who are looking forward to Eid-el-Kabir, but I’m concerned about letting them down. We’ll make do with what we can, but it’s a challenge.”
In Lagos, the prices of perishable and non-perishable food items have soared in major markets. At the popular Oyingbo market, the price of Scotch Bonnet (Ata Rodo) ranges between N2,000 and N8,000, up from N200 and N500 last month. A bag of Rodo on the eve of Sallah celebration is N200,000, compared to N110,000 previously. Similarly, a bag of bell pepper (tatashe) is now N200,000, up from N130,000 last week. A bag of chilli pepper (bawa or shombo) costs N200,000, up from N120,000, and a basket of tomatoes is N220,000, up from N160,000.
At Sabo, a pepper seller lamented that the cost of pepper has negatively affected their sales. “The changes in the prices started on Monday when Hausa traders started traveling back to the North. This situation has also rubbed off on people as they no longer patronize us as it used to be. I am also not happy the way things are going this year. Last year, it was a little better than what we are experiencing this year. Imagine that a lot of people want to celebrate Sallah without having food. Some people prefer to buy dried pepper because it is cheaper than the fresh ones.”
In major markets including Mile 12, Oyingbo, Mushin, Lagos Island, Ajah, and Epe, prices of food items have jumped by almost 300% in some cases within the space of one year. A trader at Mile 2 market stated, “A basket of tomatoes which was sold between N145,000 and N160,000 in 2024 had risen to N200,000 at Mile 12, N220,000 in Oyingbo market while places including Mushin, Lekki, Ajah, Epe, Iyana-Oba, Orile, cost as high as N16,000, N12,000, N10,000 and N8,000 per small measurement depending on the area.”
Onions are relatively cheap, perhaps due to being in season, but still costly compared to 2024. Mohammed, an onions seller in Oyingbo, revealed that a 100kg basket of onions is now selling for N100,000, up from N70,000 in 2024. “Today, a bag of 50kg rice ranges between N50,000 and N65,000 depending on the product and quality,” he added.
Prices of rams, goats, and cows in Lagos have also soared. A medium-sized cow ranges from N700,000 to as high as N1.5 million, a ram ranges from N250,000 to N700,000, and a goat from N100,000 to N150,000, depending on bargaining strength. Eggs and chickens have also increased in price, with a crate of eggs sold between N6,000 and N7,000, up from N4,500 in 2024.
Transportation Fare Increases in Kwara State
Transport fares from Ilorin to Lagos and vice versa have increased by 300%. It used to be N10,000 but is now N30,000. Transport fare from Ilorin to Abuja and vice versa is now N28,000, up from N25,000 before Sallah. Omu Aran to Ilorin was N2,500 before Sallah, but it’s now N4,000. Prices might increase till late in the evening and return to normalcy by tomorrow morning. The price of one bag of rice has remained stable or even lower, oscillating between N60,000 and N62,000 during this Sallah period, down from N68,000 before.
Transport Fare Hike in Osogbo
Although the prices of food items remain unchanged, the cost of transportation has almost doubled. There is a price hike in both intra and inter-state travels. Those traveling from Osogbo to Iwo, which was N2,000, now pay N3,000, while travelers to Ibadan from Osogbo now pay N4,000, up from N2,500. Travelers going to Lagos State paid N12,000, up from N7,000 before the Sallah season.
Price Reductions in Sokoto
In Sokoto, the current prices of foodstuffs are decreasing by the day. A 50kg bag of parboiled rice is being sold at N63,000, down from N90,000 in March and early April. A sack of local potatoes sold for N20,000 in April is now N12,000. Prices of beans and soya beans have also dropped significantly. Prices of tomatoes, onions, pepper, and other vegetables have also dropped. Many believe that the crash in prices of foodstuffs in the state is due to the economic downturn. Sokoto markets have been flooded with all kinds of foodstuffs, including yam, fresh maize, and Irish potatoes, which are common in many households.
According to the Chairman, Sokoto Traders Association, Alhaji Bashir Gishiri, the crash in prices of foodstuffs in Sokoto and other parts of the North West is an act of God. “The security situation had forced many farmers to abandon farming for fear of bandits and other criminal gangs operating in the region. As God wants, the prices of farm produce are still falling. I am optimistic it will continue to crash as the security situation improves and many farmers go back to farms.”
Price Surge in Ogun State
In Abeokuta, Ogun State, prices of food commodities have increased compared to May. At the popular Olomore market, a basket of tomatoes that was sold for N45,000 is now N150,000, while pepper, which sold for N60,000 in May, is now between N150,000 and N170,000 per basket. Prices of rams have also increased compared to last year. Small rams sell for between N400,000 and N500,000, while big ones sell between N800,000 and N900,000. A bag of rice is between N60,000 and N61,000.
A ram seller, Mallam Abdullah Sanni, attributed the high cost of rams to transportation costs. He explained that transporting the animals from the North costs more compared to last year. He also attributed the high cost to low supply and insecurity in some parts of the northern states.
Stable Food Prices but Increased Transport Fares in Kaduna
In Kaduna, prices of food items have remained stable. Mrs. Aisha Muhammad, who resides in Kaduna North, said a 50kg bag of rice sells for between N55,000 to N70,000, depending on the grade, compared to before when foreign rice sold for over N100,000. A local measure of 8-cup sells for between N2,200 to N2,500. A local measure of 8-cup of beans costs N2,500, and that of gari sells at N1,200, down from N1,500. A bag of maize sells for between N50,000 to N55,000, compared to a couple of months ago when it sold for about N70,000.
On transport fare in the state, a trip by bus from Kawo Kaduna to Abuja costs between N9,000 to N10,000. A trip to Zaria by bus costs between N1,500 to N2,000, up from N900 to N1,000. Within Kaduna town, a journey from Sabon Tasha to Kawo costs between N800 to N1,000, while commuters pay between N500 to N600 from Gari Kasuwa to Gonin Gora. From Kawo to Gari Kasuwa costs N300, either by commercial buses or Keke Napep.
Price Increases in Kano
In Kano, prices of foodstuffs remain relatively low, but prices of vegetables and livestock, essential for food preparation, have soared. A customer, Ramatu Aminu, said a basket of tomatoes, which was sold for N11,000 to N20,000 on Sunday, now goes for N40,000. A basket of pepper was around N80,000 but is now heading to N150,000. Commuters also lamented the hike in transport fares. A traveler, Abdulwaheed Kola, said he boarded a vehicle from Kano to Lagos at the cost of N27,000 a month ago, but it now costs him N35,000. Another traveler, Muntari Masanawa, said he boarded a vehicle from Kano to Malumfashi LGA in Katsina State at the cost of N3,000, but it now costs N3,500, while from Kano to Funtua LGA in Katsina State, which cost N4,000, now goes for N4,500.
Shift from Rams to Cows
Some ram traders in Lagos State have lamented the preference for cows over rams by Muslim faithful. The traders said that most people prefer to buy cows 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 fulfill 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
“I wish the government had the authority to regulate the prices of these animals,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Bidemi Ahmed shared her thoughts: “Rams, whether big or small, are unaffordable this year compared to 2024. Although my husband managed to buy one, I’m not pleased with the choice he made, especially at the cost of N250,000. Gone are the days when sellers would chase after you to buy; now, if you turn away, they won’t even call you back,” she lamented.
Islamic scholar Mallam Abdulfatah Akanni described this period as a tough time for Muslims. “As Muslims, we must be prudent and ‘cut our coat according to our cloth,’” he advised.
Similarly, ram vendor Malam Yusuf Sanusi attributed the high ram prices to increased transportation and logistics costs.
Farmers and Traders Complain of Low Sales
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and foodstuff traders in Lagos have expressed concerns over poor sales during this Sallah season, blaming inflation for reduced consumer purchasing power.
Lagos State AFAN Vice Chairman, Mr. Shakin Agbayewa, explained that despite price drops in some produce, consumers’ buying power has declined significantly.
“This year’s celebration brings mixed feelings. Although some produce prices have decreased, people’s purchasing power has weakened. A bag of rice in Lagos ranges between N51,000 and N57,000, depending on location. People can afford rice or even a ram but often lack the money to buy pepper to prepare meals for Sallah,” he noted.
Pepper prices remain particularly high, prompting complaints from many consumers. “We encourage locals to start cultivating pepper in the state. Transportation costs have driven pepper prices up during this festive period,” Agbayewa added.
He also suggested that traders might intentionally raise prices during Sallah to maximize profits, but expects prices of pepper and tomatoes to fall after the celebrations.
Mrs. Tolu Agunbiade, a foodstuff trader from Agege, confirmed that patronage this year is significantly lower compared to Sallah 2024.
“Rice prices have dropped sharply from N98,000–N110,000 last year to between N56,000 and N62,000 now, depending on location and variety. However, consumers’ purchasing power is low, so sales remain sluggish even with lower prices.
“Groundnut oil prices have also decreased—from N13,000–N16,000 for a five-litre keg last year to about N10,000 now—but demand remains weak,” she said.
Caterer and foodstuff trader Mrs. Pat Gbagi urged patience from consumers, expecting prices to fall post-Sallah.
“This week, prices of tomatoes and pepper are high because of Sallah. A bag of pepper at Mile 12 market that sold for N200,000 now costs between N250,000 and N300,000.
“If not for the celebration, I wouldn’t recommend going to the market this week. People are only buying what they can afford,” Gbagi added.
Ram Sellers Lament Low Patronage Amid Soaring Prices
Ram traders in Osogbo, Osun State, lamented poor sales, attributing it to rising costs and ongoing economic difficulties.
Ismail Musa, a trader at Powerline Market, noted that patronage is disappointing compared to last year due to higher ram prices caused by increased sourcing costs from the North.
“People have less money now. I’ve sold only five rams and four goats in the past three days. Last year’s sales were much better,” he said.
“We are selling large rams for between N400,000 and N420,000, while small rams go for N120,000 to N130,000. Rams that sold for N200,000 last year now cost up to N450,000,” Musa added.
He identified transportation costs from the North as the primary reason for price increases, calling for a reduction in petrol prices.
Another seller, Abioye Saheed, said medium-sized rams now sell between N350,000 and N500,000, compared to N200,000 last year.
“Transportation cost per trailer was between N700,000 and N800,000 last year, but this year it exceeds N2 million from Northern Nigeria,” he disclosed.
Cattle seller Laro Suleiman from Osogbo said small cows that sold for N250,000 last year now go for N450,000.
He explained that cows are transported from Jebba, Kwara, at a cost of N5,000 each, up from N2,500 last year.
“All price hikes are due to fuel price increases,” Suleiman added.
Buyer Odunade Kazeem shared that he purchased a small goat for N50,000, which sold for N35,000 last year.
Kindly Share:
Discover more from LMSINT STORE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
