The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has cautioned traders and marketers against hoarding food items or inflating prices during the Ramadan and Lent fasting periods.

In a statement released on Thursday, the agency’s Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed that the agency had received reports indicating that some traders were deliberately withholding essential food commodities commonly consumed during fasting, thereby creating artificial scarcity and driving up prices in markets.

He described the practice as damaging to the economy and morally unacceptable, especially at a time when religious teachings emphasise compassion, charity and sacrifice.

Issa-Onilu noted that the fasting season should inspire generosity and empathy towards the less privileged, stressing that exploiting the period for excessive profit undermines these values and worsens the burden on vulnerable citizens.

He warned that hoarding essential goods disrupts efforts to stabilise the economy, fuels inflation and deepens the hardship already faced by many households.

According to him, responsible conduct in the marketplace is both a patriotic responsibility and a moral duty. He added that fairness, transparency and moderation in pricing reflect national ideals and align with the spiritual principles observed during Ramadan and Lent.

The NOA chief also urged trade associations, market unions and commodity groups to ensure their members act ethically and collaborate with regulatory authorities to enforce standards that prevent exploitation.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to sustained public enlightenment campaigns across states and local government areas, aimed at promoting economic responsibility and national unity. It added that it would continue to monitor market activities and engage stakeholders to safeguard citizens’ interests and uphold national values.