Eid-el-Kabir in Abuja: Ram Prices Soar as Insecurity and Low Supply Hit Livestock Markets

As Muslims across Nigeria prepare to mark Eid-el-Kabir (Eid-ul-Adha), a major Islamic festival celebrated through animal sacrifice, many families in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are facing an increasingly difficult challenge: skyrocketing prices of rams and other sacrificial animals.

A visit to major livestock markets in Abuja, including the popular Zuba livestock market, reveals growing tension among traders and buyers alike. While the prices of some staple food items—such as rice, beans, onions, and tomatoes—have seen a modest decline in recent weeks, the cost of rams has doubled in many cases, putting pressure on household budgets already stretched thin by economic hardship.

🔺 Ram Prices Double, Supply Drops

Speaking with Nairametrics, Ahmed Maikudi, a livestock dealer at Zuba market, lamented the sharp drop in supply this season. Traditionally, Nigeria relies heavily on cross-border livestock trade from neighboring countries like Niger Republic, but heightened security issues and border restrictions have made that nearly impossible this year.

“We used to import large numbers of animals from Niger Republic and other neighboring countries. But this year, we’re relying solely on local supply from household farmers, which is not sufficient,” Maikudi explained. “Many traders have even abandoned the business for more profitable ventures.”

According to Maikudi, a medium-sized ram that cost around ₦200,000 last year now sells for as much as ₦400,000. Smaller rams are priced between ₦150,000 and ₦190,000, while larger ones range from ₦350,000 to as high as ₦1 million.

🐏 “Not for N100,000—Maybe After Sallah”

Along the Nyanya-Abuja Expressway, roadside trader Abdullahi offered similar insights. He pegged the price range of rams between ₦200,000 and ₦700,000, laughing off the idea of getting a good-sized ram for ₦100,000.

“Maybe after Sallah,” he said with a smile, adding that patronage has been dismal. “In the past week, I’ve sold less than 10 animals.”

For buyers like Adekunle Ajayi, who usually travels from Abuja to Oyo State each year with livestock in tow, the cost has become almost unmanageable.

“Last year, I spent about ₦200,000 on three animals, including two goats. This year, that same amount can barely get me one decent ram—forget about transportation to Ibadan,” he said.

📉 A Stark Contrast to Ramadan Food Prices

Interestingly, the surge in livestock prices comes just weeks after Ramadan, when visits to markets in Wuse, Garki, and Utako revealed falling food prices, offering some relief to fasting Muslims. That relief now seems short-lived as many families confront a different kind of economic pressure during Eid-el-Kabir.

🔍 Experts Blame Insecurity, Climate, and Policy Gaps

Experts say the issue goes beyond market forces—it’s rooted in deeper structural and security challenges that continue to plague Nigeria’s agricultural and livestock sectors.

Bosun Alebiosu, a research fellow at the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA), warned that the country often underestimates the economic cost of insecurity.

“Farmer-herder clashes, banditry, and Boko Haram attacks in the North-East have severely disrupted livestock and food production. Without peace in these agricultural zones, supply chains will remain broken and prices will continue to spike,” Alebiosu said.

Adding to the analysis, Dr. Abimbola Adegoke, an agricultural extension expert at the University of Abuja, pointed to structural issues in Nigeria’s livestock industry.

“Most of our livestock is reared through extensive pastoral systems with minimal infrastructure. Climate change, insecurity, and ongoing conflicts have only worsened the situation,” she said. “When livestock can’t move safely to markets in the South, prices surge due to scarcity.”

🗓️ Public Holidays Declared for Eid-ul-Adha

In anticipation of the Eid celebrations, the Federal Government has declared Friday, June 6, and Monday, June 9, 2025, as public holidays nationwide.

Still, as the holidays approach, many buyers are scaling back their Sallah celebrations, uncertain whether they can afford the sacrifices central to the festivities.

🧩 What Lies Ahead?

The sharp rise in livestock prices is a symptom of larger national issues—ranging from regional insecurity to supply chain disruptions and climate impacts. For many Nigerians, this year’s Eid-el-Kabir will not only be a moment of spiritual reflection but also a reminder of the daily economic struggles faced by millions.

As both sellers and buyers look for last-minute relief, one thing remains clear: without significant government intervention to stabilize security and support local producers, the tradition of Eid sacrifice may become increasingly out of reach for the average Nigerian.