With Eid el-Kabir just days away, the atmosphere in Nigeria’s livestock markets is unusually subdued. In what should be a season of brisk sales and community celebration, many Muslim faithful are instead counting costs and finding them beyond reach.
For Ahmed Mai-Samari, a seasoned livestock dealer at the Dei-Dei market in Abuja, this year’s sales season has been anything but festive.
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“A ram that sold for N200,000 in 2024 now goes for N400,000,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). “Only the rich can afford it now.”
The sharp increase in prices is largely attributed to insecurity in the Northwest, restrictions on border imports, and the broader economic hardship facing many Nigerian households. Livestock that once streamed in from Niger and other neighboring countries is now trickling in—or not arriving at all—thanks to border closures and regional political tensions.
Border Closures, Banditry, and a Fading Tradition
Rams for the annual Eid el-Kabir sacrifice traditionally come from pastoral communities in northern Nigeria and across West Africa, especially from Niger Republic. But with Nigeria’s northern borders increasingly locked down due to security concerns, that supply chain has been severely disrupted.
“Now, we have to rely solely on local supply from household livestock farmers, which is limited,” said Mai-Samari. “Many traders have even left the business for more profitable ventures.”
That scarcity is hitting consumers hard. Medium-sized rams now fetch between N200,000 and N250,000. The largest animals go for as much as N1 million. Even the smallest, leanest ram doesn’t go for less than N150,000—far beyond the reach of many Nigerian families already struggling with inflation and stagnant incomes.
Comparison to 2024
According to a report by Smartpreneur, price comparisons from 2024 to 2025 reveal alarming inflation:
Large rams, which cost between N180,000 and N350,000 in 2024, are now priced at over N1 million in 2025, an increase of at least 185%, and in some cases up to 455%.
Medium-sized rams, previously sold for N180,000 to N400,000, now range from N600,000 to N800,000, marking a 100% to 333% rise.
Small rams, once the most affordable at N100,000 to N190,000, are now selling for between N200,000 and N500,000, a 100% to 400% increase.
In short, whatever one paid for a ram last year, expect to pay double, triple, or even more this year, one of the steepest year-on-year Eid price hikes in Nigerian history.
Traders Bear the Brunt Too
At Kara Market, a prominent livestock hub along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abdullahi Musa, a veteran ram seller, spoke about the price inflation compared to last year.
“Last year, I sold this size for N300,000. Today, if you don’t have N500,000, you can’t even touch it. Even I am shocked at the price. But feed costs, transport, everything has doubled!” Musa said, according to PUNCH.
Also, at a roadside livestock stand in Dutse, Abuja, Sanusi Abdullahi is weathering the storm. Surrounded by more than a hundred rams, he’s only sold seven in two days, according to NAN.
“I and my boys had to go from village to village across different states, gather the rams, and transport them here. It hasn’t been easy,” he said.
Despite the effort, he’s finding few buyers. He hopes to sell at least half his stock before the Eid, even if it means slashing prices and walking away with minimal profit.
In Bwari, another suburban area of the capital, trader Mustapha Aminu, known as “Biggie,” offers his cheapest ram at N100,000 but has seen only a trickle of customers.
“This time last year, I had sold nearly all my stock. Things were tough then too, but this year is worse,” he said.
Sacrifice Reimagined
For many Muslims, the sacrifice of a ram during Eid el-Kabir is both a religious obligation and a cherished tradition. But this year, even devotion must make room for economic reality.
Hameed Raji, a civil servant in Bwari, opted for a goat at N70,000. Still a stretch, but more manageable than a full-grown ram.
Others have scaled down even further. Rukayya Abdullahi and her husband chose to buy three large chickens for N20,000 each instead.
“This will not only serve our visitors but also save us from borrowing money to buy a ram,” she said. “By Allah’s grace, we hope to afford a ram next year.”
Eid el-Kabir is one of Islam’s most important holidays, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Traditionally, it’s a time for prayer, community, and generosity, with meat from the slaughter shared among family, neighbors, and the poor.
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But for many Nigerian Muslims this year, that spirit of giving has been dampened by harsh economic realities. What was once a joyful obligation is now a painful compromise.
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