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.” Price Hikes in Lagos Markets 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
