Muslims in Oyo Lament High Cost of Rams as Sallah Approaches

As the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration draws near, Muslims in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have expressed growing frustration over the sharp increase in the price of rams.

Both buyers and sellers interviewed in the city described the situation as worrying. While buyers lamented their weak purchasing power, sellers complained of low sales despite the high prices.

One ram seller noted that although some people were still managing to buy, the numbers were not as expected. He observed that most of those showing interest were salary earners whose salaries had not yet been paid, and he expressed hope that sales would improve as Sallah day gets closer.

Another seller blamed the price hike on the rising cost of petrol, which has significantly increased transportation expenses for goods coming from the north. He explained that moving a trailer load of rams from Borno to Oyo State now costs between N1.8 million and N2 million, compared to N600,000 to N700,000 previously. He noted that this additional cost is shared among the rams, driving up their individual prices.

A buyer who spoke on condition of anonymity said the main problem was the poor state of the economy, which has left many people struggling. He stated that many of those buying rams were doing so reluctantly, just to please their elderly parents or children, and appealed to the Muslim community to exercise moderation.

Another buyer revealed that after arriving at the market, he realised he would need at least an extra N100,000 to purchase the ram he wanted, as the N100,000 he had was clearly insufficient.

In response to the annual price surge, an Islamic scholar advised Muslims to consider rearing sheep, goats, and cows locally. He argued that local rearing would reduce dependence on the northern region, increase the availability of the animals throughout the year, and improve commercial opportunities for Muslims.

A survey across major ram markets in Ibadan, including Akinyele, Aleshinloye, Oranyan, Bodija, and Elekuro, revealed significant price increases. Small-sized rams that sold for between N70,000 and N80,000 in 2025 now cost between N200,000 and N250,000. Middle-sized rams now sell for between N300,000 and N400,000, while large ones range from N500,000 to N900,000.

Beyond the cost of rams, other food items have also seen price changes. A bag of rice that sold for N54,000 in April now costs N67,000. However, a bag of tomatoes has dropped from N80,000 to between N35,000 and N40,000, while a goroso basket of tomatoes has fallen from N30,000 to N15,000.