Oyo Muslims Grapple with Soaring Ram Prices as Economic Hardship Deepens Ahead of Eid-el-Kabir 2026!

Oyo Muslims Grapple with Soaring Ram Prices as Economic Hardship Deepens Ahead of Eid-el-Kabir 2026!

Reported by Fasesan Marian opeyemi | Journalist at Sele Media Africa.

IBADAN, Nigeria — Muslims across Oyo State are expressing growing frustration over the sharp increase in ram prices ahead of the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, with many families now uncertain whether they can afford the annual sacrifice. Traders and buyers in major livestock markets across the state report that the cost of rams has surged by as much as 60 percent compared to the same period in 2025, driven by a combination of inflation, rising transportation costs, and insecurity affecting cattle movement along key trade routes.

The price hike comes as Nigeria’s broader economic challenges — including a weakening naira, high fuel costs, and declining household purchasing power — continue to squeeze ordinary citizens. For many Muslim families in Oyo, the rising cost of rams threatens to turn a cherished religious obligation into an unattainable luxury.

Market Prices Reflect Widespread Economic Pressure

At the popular Bodija livestock market in Ibadan, traders said the price of a medium-sized ram now ranges between 180,000 and 250,000 naira, up from approximately 120,000 to 150,000 naira during the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir season. Larger rams, which previously sold for around 200,000 naira, are now priced at 350,000 naira or more.

Alhaji Ganiyu Adebayo, a livestock dealer with 15 years of experience at Bodija market, attributed the price surge to multiple factors converging simultaneously.

“We are buying the rams at much higher prices from northern suppliers because the cost of transporting them has doubled. Fuel prices have not come down, and the insecurity along the highways means we must pay for armed escorts to protect our livestock,” Adebayo told Sele Media Africa. “We cannot sell at a loss, so the burden falls on the buyers.”

The situation is similar at other major markets across Oyo State, including Oja Oba in Oyo town, Akesan market in Iseyin, and the Ogbomoso livestock market. Traders reported reduced customer turnout, with many potential buyers simply walking away after hearing the prices.

Economic Hardship Compounds Religious Duty

For many Muslim families, the sacrifice of a ram during Eid-el-Kabir — known as Qurbani — is a deeply significant religious act commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. However, the financial strain has forced some to reconsider.

Mrs. Khadijat Olaniyi, a mother of four and a civil servant in Ibadan, said her household budget simply cannot accommodate the cost of a ram this year.

“Last year, we managed to buy a ram for 130,000 naira. This year, the same size ram is almost 200,000 naira. My salary has not increased, and the cost of food, school fees, and rent has all gone up,” Olaniyi said. “I am considering whether we should buy a smaller ram or perhaps join with other family members to share the cost. It is painful, but we must be realistic.”

The decision to forgo or reduce the sacrifice is not taken lightly. Islamic scholars in Oyo have acknowledged the economic realities facing worshippers, with some issuing guidance that the obligation is contingent upon affordability.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Yusuf, a prominent Islamic cleric based in Ibadan, emphasised that religious duties should not cause undue hardship.

“Islam is a religion of ease. If a person cannot afford a ram, there is no sin in not performing the sacrifice. Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity,” Sheikh Yusuf said. “However, those who are able should still strive to observe this sunnah, even if it means purchasing a smaller animal or sharing with others.”

Insecurity and Logistics Disrupt Livestock Supply Chains

Beyond economic factors, insecurity has emerged as a critical disruptor of livestock supply chains in Nigeria. Traders interviewed by Sele Media Africa said cattle rustling, banditry, and kidnappings along major highways — particularly the routes connecting northern livestock-producing states to southern markets — have made transportation increasingly dangerous and expensive.

Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, a livestock transporter who regularly moves rams from Katsina to Ibadan, described the risks involved.

“We travel with armed security now because bandits attack trucks carrying livestock. They steal the animals and sometimes kidnap the drivers for ransom. The cost of hiring security adds at least 50,000 naira to each trip,” Abdullahi said. “Some of my colleagues have stopped making the journey altogether because it is too dangerous.”

The security challenges have reduced the volume of livestock reaching southern markets, creating a supply shortage that further drives up prices. According to the Nigerian Livestock Dealers Association, the number of rams transported from northern states to Oyo markets has dropped by approximately 30 percent compared to the same period last year.

Government Response and Policy Gaps

The Oyo State Government has acknowledged the concerns of residents but has not announced any specific interventions to address the price surge. In a statement issued earlier this week, the state Ministry of Agriculture described the situation as a national challenge requiring federal-level solutions.

“The rising cost of rams is a reflection of the broader economic and security challenges facing the country. While the Oyo State Government is exploring ways to support livestock traders and ease the burden on residents, we urge the federal government to address the root causes of inflation and insecurity,” the statement read.

Critics, however, argue that state governments can do more, including providing temporary subsidies for livestock transportation, establishing secure holding facilities for traders, and collaborating with federal security agencies to protect trade routes.

Mr. Olusegun Adegoke, an economist at the University of Ibadan, said the situation highlights the interconnectedness of Nigeria’s economic and security crises.

“The price of rams is not just about supply and demand. It is a symptom of deeper structural problems — inflation, currency devaluation, insecurity, and poor infrastructure. Until these are addressed, Nigerians will continue to feel the pain during every festive season,” Adegoke said.

Pan-African Context: A Shared Challenge Across the Continent

Nigeria is not alone in facing the challenge of rising livestock prices ahead of Eid-el-Kabir. Similar reports have emerged from other African nations, including Senegal, Mali, Niger, and Sudan, where inflation, climate change, and conflict have disrupted agricultural and livestock production.

In Senegal, the government has announced subsidies for ram purchases to help low-income families observe the sacrifice. In Mali, livestock traders have called for improved security along trans-Saharan trade routes. These parallel experiences underscore the need for regional cooperation on food security, livestock trade, and economic resilience.

For Oyo Muslims, the struggle to afford a ram is a microcosm of a larger continental challenge — one that demands coordinated policy responses and long-term investment in agricultural value chains.

What Happens Next

As Eid-el-Kabir approaches, scheduled for late June 2026, many families in Oyo are making difficult decisions. Some are pooling resources with extended family members to purchase a single ram. Others are exploring alternatives, such as purchasing goats or sheep, which are comparatively less expensive. A growing number are simply opting out of the sacrifice altogether.

Livestock traders, meanwhile, are bracing for reduced sales volumes and potential losses if demand continues to decline. The Nigerian Livestock Dealers Association has called for an emergency meeting with federal and state authorities to discuss interventions before the festival.

For now, the mood across Oyo’s markets is one of resignation and resilience — a reflection of a people accustomed to navigating economic hardship while holding fast to their faith.

SOURCES

• Alhaji Ganiyu Adebayo, livestock dealer, Bodija market, Ibadan
• Mrs. Khadijat Olaniyi, civil servant and resident of Ibadan
• Sheikh Abdulrahman Yusuf, Islamic scholar, Ibadan
• Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, livestock transporter, Katsina to Ibadan route
• Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, official statement
• Mr. Olusegun Adegoke, economist, University of Ibadan
• Nigerian Livestock Dealers Association
• Punch Newspapers, Vanguard News, The Nation Newspaper (background reports)