Sallah: Muslims Express Frustration Over Soaring Ram Prices in Oyo

Many Muslims in Ibadan, Oyo State, have expressed concern over the sharp increase in the prices of rams ahead of the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Some residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday described the situation as difficult, citing the harsh economic conditions and declining purchasing power.

Both buyers and sellers lamented the rising cost of rams, with traders blaming the increase on high transportation expenses and fuel prices.

A ram seller, Abdullah Saleh, said although some people were still making efforts to buy rams, patronage remained lower than expected.

According to him, most potential buyers are salary earners who are yet to receive their wages.

He, however, expressed hope that sales would improve as the Sallah celebration draws closer.

Another seller, Salisu Abass, attributed the soaring prices to increased transportation costs from northern Nigeria.

“A trailer load of rams from Bornu to Oyo State used to cost between N600,000 and N700,000, but now, it is between N1.8 million and N2 million,” he said.

Abass noted that the transportation expenses are usually added to the prices of the animals, making the business difficult for both sellers and buyers.

Some buyers also lamented the poor state of the economy, saying many families could barely afford the cost of the animals.

One anonymous buyer said many people purchasing rams were doing so only to satisfy family expectations despite financial hardship.

“The economy is not favourable. Many people buying rams are groaning financially,” the buyer said.

Another buyer, AbdulKarim Oyedele, said he discovered at the market that the N100,000 he had budgeted was no longer enough to buy a ram.

Meanwhile, an Islamic scholar, Afeez Adegoke, urged Muslims to embrace local livestock rearing to reduce dependence on northern suppliers and curb yearly price inflation during Sallah celebrations.

A survey conducted across major ram markets in Ibadan, including Akinyele, Aleshinloye, Oranyan, Bodija and Elekuro markets, showed that small-sized rams now sell between N200,000 and N250,000, compared to N70,000 and N80,000 in 2025.

Medium-sized rams now cost between N300,000 and N400,000, while large rams are sold for as high as N900,000.