Olusegun Adeyemo
As the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations draw near, some traders in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have expressed deep concern over the rising cost of rams, a key item during the Islamic festival.
A market survey conducted on Monday by The Journal Nigeria correspondent revealed that many traders and buyers are worried about the unstable prices of rams.
Price checks at major ram markets, including the Bodija Cow Market and Kara Market, showed a significant hike in ram prices.
An average-sized ram, which sold for about ₦50,000 in 2024, now goes for between ₦60,000 and ₦70,000. Larger rams were seen selling for as much as ₦300,000 to ₦650,000.
Speaking to The Journal Nigeria, the Chairman of Kara Mulu 30-30 Cow Market in Bodija, Alhaji Kareem Hashim, attributed the increase to insecurity in the northern part of the country and the rising cost of transportation.
Similarly, a ram seller, Mr. Kenny Adewole, blamed the situation on the high transportation costs demanded by those moving livestock from the North.
He said, “We are only appealing to the government to let its economic policies support the growth of small businesses.”
In contrast, the cost of food items has dropped, according to traders who spoke with The Journal Nigeria.
A foodstuff seller at Bodija Market, Alhaja Kudirat Adijat, said prices of staples, including rice and vegetable oil, had decreased.
“A bag of rice that we used to sell for ₦80,000 to ₦82,000 now goes for about ₦55,000. Even vegetable oil, which sold for ₦90,000 during last year’s festival, is now available for ₦63,000 to ₦65,000, depending on the brand,” she said.
A shopper, Mojo Daramola, confirmed the drop in food prices, expressing relief that essential food items had become more affordable despite the hike in livestock prices.
As preparations intensify for Eid-el-Kabir, residents of Ibadan remain hopeful that further economic improvements will ease the burden of celebration for the average Nigerian family.
