As Nigerians prepare for the Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) celebration, ram sellers across the country are expressing frustration over poor sales despite soaring prices.

Traders in cities like Abuja, Lagos, and Ile-Ife have linked the decline in patronage to rising costs, insecurity, and the overall economic hardship affecting the nation.

Abuja

In Abuja, ram sellers at the Dei-Dei livestock market cited insecurity and limited supply from the Northwest as key drivers of the price hike.

Malam Ahmed Mai-Samari, a livestock dealer, explained that most rams were traditionally sourced from neighbouring countries like Niger. However, due to security concerns, traders now rely solely on local farmers, whose supply is limited.

"Many traders have abandoned the business for more profitable ventures," he noted.

According to him, the price of rams has doubled since 2024. “A ram that sold for ₦200,000 last year now goes for ₦400,000. Only the wealthy can afford it,” he said.

Small rams now range between ₦150,000 and ₦190,000, medium-sized ones cost ₦200,000 to ₦250,000, and large rams are priced from ₦350,000 up to ₦1 million.

In Dutse, roadside livestock dealer Mr Sanusi Abdullahi reported similar trends, with prices ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦700,000.

Ile-Ife, Osun State

In Ile-Ife, Alhaji Akeem Salahudeen, Chairman of the Ram Sellers’ Association at Odo-Ogbe Market, said high prices and the current economic conditions were discouraging buyers.

He noted that big rams previously sold for between ₦550,000 and ₦620,000 now cost between ₦800,000 and ₦1.2 million. Medium-sized rams that sold for ₦300,000 to ₦350,000 last year now go for ₦450,000 to ₦550,000, while small rams have risen from ₦200,000–₦230,000 to ₦300,000–₦450,000.

Salahudeen attributed the sharp increase to the insecurity in the North, which has disrupted the ram supply chain.

At the Sabo Cattle Market in Ile-Ife, Alhaji Saheed Yaro confirmed the surge in prices, stating that small rams now go for ₦250,000 to ₦350,000, up from ₦150,000–₦180,000 last year. Medium rams now cost ₦350,000 to ₦450,000, while large ones are priced between ₦550,000 and ₦780,000.

In Modakeke’s Boosa Cattle Market, Mr Musa Salami said medium-sized rams have increased from ₦170,000–₦200,000 to ₦250,000–₦300,000. Larger rams, once sold at ₦350,000–₦400,000, now go for ₦600,000–₦750,000.

Salami revealed he brought 150 rams to market a week ago but had sold only 15. Many customers, he said, leave upon hearing the prices.

“Even regular buyers are now complaining,” he added.

Buyers React

Mrs Rukayya Abdullahi, a prospective buyer, said she and her husband opted for three large chickens at ₦20,000 each instead of a ram.

Civil servant Mr Bayo Olabisi shared a similar sentiment, saying the economic hardship had made it difficult for most workers to afford rams this year. He linked the situation to high transport costs and inflation following the removal of fuel subsidies.

“I went to three different markets and couldn’t buy any ram. A medium one I bought for ₦150,000 last year is now ₦250,000,” he said.

“Instead, I’ll buy half a bag of rice and two chickens for my family. Allah has said we shouldn’t borrow or buy on credit for Sallah—there’s no reward in that.”

Lagos and Ogun

In markets around Ibafo, Kara (Ogun State), and Agege (Lagos), sellers reported that the cheapest ram available now goes for ₦250,000, compared to ₦150,000 last year.

Rams that previously sold for ₦50,000 now cost ₦100,000, while those that went for ₦350,000 in 2024 now sell for ₦500,000.