(Man Pricing Ram. Photo by Nation Newspaper)
Residents of Kaduna State are expressing deep concern over the steep rise in the prices of rams as the Eid-el-Kabir celebration approaches, with some large and exotic breeds now fetching as much as N1 million in major livestock markets across the state.
A visit to key livestock markets in the Kaduna metropolis on Tuesday revealed that medium-sized rams are currently selling between N200,000 and N450,000, while bigger breeds command prices ranging from N700,000 to N1 million, depending on size and breed.
Many residents described the situation as alarming, saying the surge in prices has made the annual Sallah sacrifice unattainable for countless families already struggling with economic hardship and the high cost of living.
At the Zango livestock market in the Tudun Wada area, a civil servant, Suleiman Aliyu, expressed shock at the figures, saying many households simply cannot afford rams this year.
Another resident, Halima Sani, said the prohibitive prices have pushed some families to consider buying chickens as an alternative, as ram prices have become unrealistic for ordinary workers.
Traders, on their part, attributed the sharp price increases to a combination of insecurity, high transportation costs, and the overall economic climate.
A livestock dealer, Salisu Abdullahi, explained that the cost of moving animals from rural areas and neighbouring states has risen considerably due to insecurity on the roads and the high price of fuel and diesel.
Another trader, Ahmed Lawal, added that cattle rustling and attacks in some northern communities have reduced the volume of livestock reaching markets, as many herders and suppliers fear for their safety.
One resident, Lukman Ayuba, said he could not afford to buy rams for himself and his parents this season a departure from his usual practice.
He noted that prices had quadrupled, comparing the cost of a single ram to that of a plot of land in some areas.
Markets across Kaduna were observed to be experiencing low footfall, as many prospective buyers stayed away due to the high prices and reduced purchasing power.
The spike in ram prices is part of a broader pattern of rising costs linked to the removal of fuel subsidies and instability in the foreign exchange market, which have driven up the prices of transportation, food, and other essential goods.
Insecurity in parts of the North-West and North-East has further disrupted livestock production and the movement of goods across several states.
Eid-el-Kabir, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of Islam’s most significant celebrations, marked by the slaughter of rams and other animals in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah.
However, the current economic realities are making it increasingly difficult for many Nigerian families to observe this religious tradition.