As the Eid-el-Kabir festival nears, the prices of sacrificial rams have soared dramatically in Kaduna State, reflecting the broader economic challenges facing Nigeria.
The Dubar Hotel ram market, once known for its reasonable prices, now sees large-sized rams fetching between N900,000 and N1 million. Medium-sized rams, previously priced at N120,000, now range from N400,000 to N600,000, and even the smallest rams cost between N70,000 and N80,000.
Ram sellers like Musa Aliyu and Hassan Mohammed attribute this steep rise to inflation and increased feed costs, which have doubled in some cases. The high prices have resulted in significantly lower patronage, as many potential buyers find themselves unable to afford the necessary animals for the traditional sacrifice.
Residents, including Musa Yahaya, a laborer with seven children, express deep concerns over the escalating costs of living, with basic commodities like rice and tomatoes also becoming prohibitively expensive. They urge the government to implement measures to alleviate the economic strain on average Nigerians.