Residents of Ibadan have been thrown into mounting economic distress as the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration approaches, with ram prices hitting unprecedented highs that have left both buyers and sellers reeling.
Across major markets in the city, a wave of frustration was reported as Muslims expressed alarm over the soaring cost of rams, describing the situation as unbearable and deeply discouraging.
Sellers say business is no longer as expected, while buyers struggle under the weight of a weakened economy and delayed salaries.
A ram trader, Mallam Abdullah Saleh, admitted that although demand still exists, it has dropped significantly compared to expectations. He noted that most of the few buyers still coming forward are salary earners who have yet to receive their wages, forcing many to postpone or reduce their purchases.
Another dealer, Malam Salisu Abass, blamed the sharp increase on rising petrol prices, which have drastically inflated transportation costs from northern Nigeria. According to him, what used to cost about ₦600,000–₦700,000 to transport a trailer load of rams from Borno to Oyo State now costs a staggering ₦1.8 million–₦2 million — a burden inevitably transferred to consumers.
He lamented the ripple effect: “It seems as if we are working for the trailer owners,” he said, highlighting how logistics costs are swallowing profit margins.
On the buyers’ side, the story is one of frustration and resignation. One anonymous shopper said that no matter the price, purchasing power has collapsed, forcing many to buy rams only to meet family expectations or avoid social disappointment.
Another buyer, Mr AbdulKarim Oyedele, revealed his shock at discovering that even ₦100,000 was far from enough to secure a ram, describing the market as overwhelmingly expensive.
Meanwhile, an Islamic scholar, Alhaji Afeez Adegoke, has urged Muslims to consider local animal rearing—sheep, goats, and cows—as a long-term solution to recurring Sallah price inflation and heavy dependence on northern suppliers.
Market surveys across Akinyele, Aleshinloye, Oranyan, Bodija, and Elekuro show dramatic price jumps:
* Small rams now sell for ₦200,000–₦250,000
* Medium rams: ₦300,000–₦400,000
* Large rams: ₦500,000–₦900,000
Beyond livestock, food prices continue to swing unpredictably. While rice has risen from ₦54,000 to ₦67,000 per bag, tomatoes have surprisingly crashed from ₦80,000 to as low as ₦35,000–₦40,000. Pepper and onions, however, remain expensive, adding further strain to household budgets.
As Eid draws nearer, Ibadan’s markets remain tense — a battleground of soaring prices, anxious buyers, and struggling traders, all caught in the grip of an increasingly painful festive economy.
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