- Many Muslims in Kaduna struggle with high ram prices for Eid-el-Kabir, noting significant increases compared to last year
- Livestock vendors argue prices are fair, urging customers to visit markets directly to find affordable rams within their budgets
Many Muslims in Kaduna State are expressing concerns over the high cost of rams, which are essential for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. This sacrifice commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, only for God to replace Ishmael with a ram.
Due to current economic conditions, residents of Kaduna have noted a significant increase in the prices of rams and other sacrificial animals compared to last year.
Yahya Zakari, a local at the Zango livestock market, mentioned he can now only afford one ram, whereas he used to buy two—one for himself and one for his father. “The ram I bought last year for N75,000 now costs N130,000,” Zakari lamented.
Similarly, civil servant Usman Muhammad shared that he couldn’t buy a ram this year due to other financial obligations, though he hopes to afford one next year.
Another resident, Mohammad Tijjani, mentioned he purchased his ram from his village in Adamawa, where prices were more affordable.
However, livestock vendors argue that prices are fair and dependent on customer needs. An animal vendor, Sulaiman Umar, stated that rams at his stand start from N70,000, suggesting that customers could find rams within their budgets if they visited the market themselves rather than relying on hearsay.
In the Zango animal market in Tudun Wada, Kaduna, a ram priced at N1.5 million was on display. A customer offered N1.2 million for it, though the sale did not go through.
Despite the economic challenges, Umar encourages people to visit the market to see the range of prices available. “I urge those who can afford it to come to the market themselves and stop believing what others say,” he advised.
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