As Eidul-Adha approaches, Nigerian Muslims are facing a difficult decision: sacrifice a ram or just ignore this religious duty and continue the daily struggle of how to feed their families.
The headline inflation in Nigeria is currently at 33.69%. Consumer prices have jumped in the last few months with almost daily increase in prices of the most basic food items.
The skyrocketing prices of rams and essential food items like tomatoes have made it challenging for many to celebrate the occasion with dignity.
Food inflation continues to rise sharply as Muslims continue to seek cheaper alternatives to expensive staples like rice, yam flour, garri and pepper. Increased electricity tariffs and ongoing naira depreciation further fueled inflationary pressures.
In Lagos’ Mushin market, Hajja Fatima, a mother of four, lamented, “I’ve been saving for months to buy a ram, but now I can’t buy the ram and I’m not sure if I can afford tomatoes to cook a decent meal.” She pointed to the high prices of tomatoes, now triple what they were last year. “This basket of tomatoes used to be around #50,000 but now it is selling around #150,000. Many of my friends that we share basket together are not interested because of the price. I am perplexed, I don’t even know what to do”, she said.
In Abuja’s Wuse Market, Mallam Abdullah, a civil servant, expressed frustration: “I’ve had to choose between buying a smaller ram or reducing the amount of food I buy. It’s a difficult decision, but my family’s needs come first. I will get a smaller ram, the children will understand” , he said smilling.
In Kano’s Kurmi Market, Aisha, a young housewife, sighed, “My husband wants to buy a ram, but I’m worried about the cost of pepper, tomatoes and other ingredients. An average sized ram now cost about #200,000. We can’t afford to celebrate Eid like we used to. We thought things were expensive last year but unfortunately this year is worse. Allah will assist us.”
The high prices have forced many Muslims to seek alternatives, such as sharing rams or reducing the scale of their celebrations. Others have turned to charity organizations and mosques for support.
As one imam in Lagos noted, “Eidul-Adha is a time of joy and sacrifice, but it’s also a test of our faith. We must come together to support each other and ensure that every family can celebrate with dignity.”
A doctor who came to buy cow in the popular sabo market in Ile-Ife also lamented the high cost. “I bought this size of cow for #450,000 last year, now the Mallam say it cost #800,000. I guess I need to look for someone to share with.”
The struggle to afford rams and ingredients necessary to cook delicious meals during Eidul-Adha like tomatoes has united Nigerian Muslims in their quest to honour the Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice. Despite the challenges, they remain determined to celebrate Eidul-Adha with faith, hope, and generosity.
