As Muslims throughout Nigeria put together for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, consumers and sellers of livestock in Abuja are expressing deep frustration over the sharp rise in the price of rams and different sacrificial animals—a rise largely blamed on insecurity and dwindling provide.
A go to to main livestock hubs within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), together with the favored Zuba market, reveals that whereas costs of staple meals objects resembling rice, beans, onions, and tomatoes have barely decreased in current weeks, the price of livestock has surged dramatically.
Ahmed Maikudi, a livestock supplier at Zuba market, instructed Nairametrics that the amount of rams equipped to main Nigerian cities has dropped considerably in comparison with earlier years, particularly from neighbouring international locations like Niger Republic.
“We used to import giant numbers of animals from Niger Republic and different international locations sharing borders with us. However this 12 months, we’re relying solely on native provide from family livestock farmers, which isn’t ample,” he defined. “Many merchants have even left the enterprise for extra worthwhile ventures.”
In response to Maikudi, costs have practically doubled this 12 months. A medium-sized ram that offered for round N200,000 final 12 months now goes for as a lot as N400,000. Smaller rams are priced between N150,000 and N190,000; medium ones vary from N200,000 to N250,000; whereas giant rams now fetch between N350,000 and N1 million.
Alongside the Nyanya-Abuja Expressway, roadside livestock dealer Abdullahi shared comparable considerations. He pegged the present value vary for rams between N200,000 and N700,000.
“If you requested for a good-sized ram for N100,000, perhaps after Sallah,” he mentioned with a wry smile. “However actually not now.”
He added that patronage has been discouraging: “Prior to now week, I’ve offered lower than 10 animals.”
Some consumers are already scaling again their Sallah celebrations.
Adekunle Ajayi, who yearly purchases livestock in Abuja earlier than travelling to Oyo State, mentioned final 12 months he spent about N200,000 on three animals—together with two goats.
“This 12 months, that very same quantity can barely purchase one first rate ram, not to mention cowl transportation to Ibadan,” he lamented.
Apparently, this spike in livestock costs stands in distinction to the development throughout Ramadan, when Nairametrics visited markets in Wuse, Garki, and Utako, the place consumers reported a decline in the price of staple meals objects, providing some aid to fasting residents.
Specialists weigh in
Bosun Alebiosu, a analysis fellow on the French Institute for Analysis in Africa (IFRA), tied the escalating costs to worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s food-producing areas.
“We are likely to underestimate the position of safety in financial stability. With farmer-herder clashes and the resurgence of Boko Haram and banditry within the North-East, meals and livestock manufacturing have been severely disrupted. The federal government should prioritize safety in agricultural zones,” he mentioned.
Dr. Abimbola Adegoke, an agricultural extension knowledgeable on the College of Abuja, offered additional context.
“Most of Nigeria’s livestock is reared within the North by in depth pastoral methods with restricted infrastructure. Local weather change, insecurity, and ongoing conflicts have compounded the challenges, resulting in a discount in livestock numbers and restricted motion to southern markets. Naturally, when provide drops, costs go up.”
As Eid attracts nearer, each consumers and sellers hope for some aid, however the outlook stays grim amid rising insecurity and financial uncertainty.
The Federal Authorities has formally declared Friday, June 6, and Monday, June 9, 2025, as public holidays throughout Nigeria to commemorate the Eid-ul-Adha.
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