With Eid-el-Kabir just two days away, ram sellers across Abuja markets are grappling with a dual crisis of soaring prices and dwindling customers. Investigations reveal shocking price hikes of 85% or more compared to last year, putting the traditional sacrifice beyond reach for many faithful.
At Abaji’s Unguwar Sabon Tasha market, small rams that sold for N120,000-N150,000 last year now command N200,000-N250,000, while premium sizes have skyrocketed to N800,000-N1.2 million from last year’s N560,000-N620,000 range. The trend persists across area councils—Kwali’s medium rams now sell for N180,000-N230,000 (up from N120,000-N140,000), Gwagwalada’s large rams fetch N600,000-N750,000 (previously N350,000-N400,000), while Kuje and Zuba/Garki markets report similar spikes.
Dealers attribute the crisis to northern Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, with one seller explaining, “Cattle rustlers are attacking villages, stealing animals and killing owners,” forcing imports from Niger, Mali and Chad at inflated costs. The economic downturn compounds the problem, as sellers report unprecedented low turnout with customers citing financial constraints.
This perfect storm of supply chain disruptions and reduced purchasing power threatens to make this year’s celebrations markedly different, with fewer families able to afford the traditional sacrifice—a stark indicator of Nigeria’s intersecting economic and security challenges.
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