'Sallah Without Rams': Nigerian Muslims Forced To Share Cows, Buy Chickens As Prices Skyrocket Under Tinubu

 

The joyous anticipation that typically heralds the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in Nigeria is this year marred by economic strain, forcing many Muslim faithful to reconsider long-held traditions of ram sacrifice. In Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, residents and traders alike are feeling the pinch as the cost of livestock surges beyond reach, leaving markets subdued and expectations lowered.

Visits to several popular ram markets — Mandate Market, Adeta Roundabout Ram Market, and Oja Tuntun — on Thursday revealed a grim picture. Stalls that would usually be bustling with eager buyers and haggling voices were quiet, with traders standing idle, hoping for better fortunes. Shoppers, on the other hand, came mostly to ask questions and shake their heads in disbelief at the cost of rams.

“The traffic of buyers we had by this time last year is not even close to what we’re seeing now,” lamented Samad Babatunde, a livestock trader at Mandate Market. “A ram that used to go for N45,000 now costs between N60,000 and N80,000 for the small ones. The bigger rams? You’re looking at nothing less than N150,000. Who can afford that in this economy?”

Tradition demands that Muslims who can afford it sacrifice a ram, cow, or camel during Eid-el-Kabir in symbolic remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to sacrifice his son. For many Nigerian Muslims, the ram is the customary choice. However, spiraling inflation, insecurity, and the declining value of the naira have pushed the tradition into uncertain territory.

Livestock sellers attribute the inflated prices to the increasingly dangerous conditions under which animals are sourced and transported. Musa, another long-time ram dealer, explained that most rams in the Ilorin markets are transported from the northern regions of the country — areas now plagued by banditry and insecurity.

“Every part of this business is suffering,” Musa said, wiping sweat from his brow. “We’re not just talking about inflation alone. Bandits have taken over grazing areas. Our suppliers now face real threats just to get rams. The drivers transporting these animals are demanding double what they charged last year — partly because of bad roads, partly because they fear attacks.”

The ripple effect is felt sharply at the point of sale. With suppliers increasing their prices and transport costs surging, traders say they have no choice but to adjust prices upward to remain in business. Yet customers, crushed under the same economic pressures, are walking away empty-handed.

Coping mechanisms vary. Joint purchases have become more popular this year, as families pool resources to buy a single cow or share in the cost of a medium-sized ram. In several homes, rams have been replaced entirely — not by cows or goats, but by chickens.

Mr. Taiwo, a civil servant residing in Ilorin, said his household’s celebration would look significantly different this year. “Last year I bought three rams. This year, I’m down to one, and even that one is a shared effort with my two brothers. We had to join forces to buy a cow,” he explained.

A shift toward poultry is reshaping the celebration for many. At Mandate Market, chicken stalls were experiencing unusual demand, a clear indication of changing consumer habits. Traders who typically don’t see a spike in sales until after Eid say this year is different.

“People are trooping in for chickens, even big ones,” said a chicken seller who declined to give his name. “Some are buying four or five chickens for the whole family instead of going through the stress of affording a ram.”

Despite chicken prices also rising — with large live chickens now going for as high as N20,000 — many find them to be a more manageable option. Frozen chicken remains a slightly cheaper alternative for those unwilling or unable to stretch their budgets.

The situation on the ground reflects deeper economic undercurrents. Under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, Nigerians are grappling with reduced purchasing power, an inflationary spiral, and persistent security challenges that complicate everything from farming to logistics. While these realities affect all sectors, their impact on cultural and religious practices such as Eid celebrations is particularly poignant.

As Muslims around the world prepare for Friday’s celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, many in Nigeria will do so under altered circumstances. The essence of sacrifice may remain, but the symbols — once defined by bleating rams and lively markets — are evolving under the pressure of hard times.