BY CHIKA KWAMBA/OGORAMAKA AMOS/JUDITH OBIANUA/AMAYINDI YAKUBU
Muslims across Nigeria celebrate Eid al-Adha, popularly known as Big Sallah, a deeply significant religious festival that commemorates Prophet Abraham’s unwavering faith and obedience to God, demonstrated through his willingness to sacrifice his beloved son.
Central to this observance is the tradition of offering animal sacrifices—symbolising devotion and gratitude—as well as communal prayers. On Sallah morning, worshippers throng mosques in their finest attire to offer the special Eid prayers, after which they partake in the ritual slaughter of livestock such as cows, rams, goats, or camels. The festival also fosters community spirit through the sharing of meat with family, friends, and the less privileged.
However, this year’s Sallah celebrations have been notably subdued for many Nigerians, as biting economic hardships dampened the usual festive fervour. With soaring inflation and rising costs of livestock, a significant number of families found it difficult to purchase rams for the traditional sacrifice.
In response, many adapted in creative ways—opting to slaughter chickens instead, pooling funds with neighbours to jointly buy rams or camels, or simply observing the festival with prayers and modest gatherings. Despite these challenges, the enduring spirit of faith, resilience, and community continues to define the essence of Eid al-Adha. From Asaba to Bauchi, Zaria to Port Harcourt, the story is the same.
In an interview with The Pointer, the Chairman of the Oko commodity market explained that Eid al-Adha is also called Big Sallah. ‘’The small Sala is usually observed after fasting and prayers while we await the big Sala. Small Sala is celebrated in a low key while big Sala is celebrated in a big way.
‘’Big Sala, as call it, is a day we remember the sacrifice of our initiator, Prophet Abraham. This sacrifice originated from the Prophet Abraham because he initiated it when God instructed him to sacrifice his only son. He obeyed God and wanted to sacrifice his son but God stopped him by sending an angel to give him a ram instead of his son. This is why we slaughter livestock in this Eid al-Adha. It is also a period of drawing closer to God and praying all the time.
According to the religion of Islam, he said, ‘’This is the time to praise God the more, from today till the next three days we praise God, praying all the time. The Ram we slaughter is used for saraka (almsgiving) we give it to people, especially the less privileged; those who cannot afford cow, ram, goat or camel. Giving is not mandatory but necessary.
Reacting to the economic realities that have trailed this year’s celebrations, the chairman said, ‘’Market is scanty as you can see, the supply is low and demand is high making the price of goods in the market high. Most of our foodstuffs come from the North but due to the Sala celebration, goods are not coming in from the North because this is a big feast for the Muslims and the demand is high.’’
Speaking with the financial secretary of Arewa Youths in Oko market, Muhammad Shehu expressed his gratitude to Allah and the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sherriff Oborevwori for his love, especially for the security he provided for the Muslims during this Sala celebration.
‘’We slaughter livestock in this season because it is an instruction from the Prophet Abraham. Last year’s sale on livestock was high but this year, as you can see, there is not much sales due to the Sala celebration’’ he said.
Similarly, a cow seller, Alhaji Nasir Idris lamented the low demand for goods. He said, ‘’This year is different, the demand is low but I am thanking the Lord Almighty for what he has done and for what He will do.
‘’The price of livestock in the North is high, including transportation. I bought a cow last week at the rate of N800,000 from the North but this week, it was sold for N1.2m because of the Sala. To bring one trailer of cows from the North to Asaba will cost you nothing less than #50,000 multiplied by 50 or 60 cows in the trailer if the cows are small. But the trailer can only accommodate 30 or 40 cows if they are big.’’
From Niger State, a lecturer from Ibrahim Badamasi University, Lapai, Gana Mohammed Usman, who spoke with The Pointer gave an overview of the significance of the Eid celebration. “The El-Kabir is known for the slaughtering of an animal, commemorating the obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to God’s command to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael).
“God intervened and provided a ram to be sacrificed instead. This event has marked the tradition of animal slaughter during Eid ever since. While the ram is the most commonly slaughtered animal, Islam permits the sacrifice of other animals such as camels, cows, and goats as well.
“This year’s celebration has faced several challenges, primarily due to the skyrocketing prices of rams, which have reached alarming figures. Rams can cost up to N3m, with the less attractive ones starting from N200,000 upwards.
‘’The surge in ram prices this year is partly due to the Niger government’s ban on ram exports to Nigeria, as most of the rams slaughtered come from Niger Republic. This situation has left many celebrants, particularly those with limited financial means, feeling hopeless about their chances of slaughtering an animal this year.
‘’However, Islam provides guidance on this matter: If you are not financially able, the slaughtering of an animal is not mandatory. You should not stress over this obligation. There are alternative options available, as the law of supply and demand affects ram prices. You could consider slaughtering sheep or goats, which are less expensive and acceptable.
‘’The slaughtering of a ram is typically done per household, while for cows and camels, up to seven people can pool their resources to purchase a single cow or camel, making it a more feasible option. For example, if a ram costs N200,000 and you cannot afford it, you can gather a maximum of seven people to contribute 100,000 naira each, totalling N700,000. This amount could be used to buy a decent cow or camel, which will provide more meat than a ram.
From Bauchi State, a staff at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Yunusa Hashimu, told our reporter, ‘’Truth to be told animals, are pricey. Imagine, for a good fat and fleshy ram it’s about N200,000, while the small ones can go for N110,000 to N120,000. Cows, for me, are a no-go area. A big cow costs not less than N400,000 while a medium size is about N250,000.
‘’How do I as a civil servant get to buy these animals at these outrageous prices, even as we are yet to receive our monthly salary? Currently, even the affluent are finding it difficult to cope. As humans, we would love to get everything within to make this celebration worthwhile, but the economy isn’t friendly.
‘’Also, in my office, we formed a micro cooperative with about 10 of us, where we started contributing N20,000 three months ago, to help us buy food stuffs in large quantities. This contribution is not just for Sallah but includes other festivals like Christmas.
Another respondent from Bauchi State who is a journalist, Adamu Imam expressed optimism amid the economic challenges, “As a Muslim, the sacrifice is not compulsory. If one doesn’t have the means he or she is expected to be positive and pray to God to provide the funds. Also, it is advisable to buy things in advance before the time of sacrifice elapse.
According to the Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Bauchi State Chapter Tanimu Gambo, ‘’In the past few years, during sallah periods as this, everyone would be occupied with buying rams, cooking oil and other ingredients. As we speak now, the cattle market where sacrificial animals are sold is filled with all sorts of animals with no buyers in sight. Why? Because nobody is even thinking of rams when food has become a luxury.
‘’The alternative for mid-income earners this Sallah is for a group of three to 10 to contribute money and buy a cow. Whether this is sacrifice or not is a topic for another day. When people, especially civil servants are living from hand to mouth, who can save anything? Is saving possible in this economy?’’
Also, the Chairman of the Slaughter Custom, Hausa Market in Asaba, Mr Edeh Onyebuchi said, ‘’Things are not as they used to be. Most times we come out here to fight boredom and idleness. As it is, we are just managing. The cows we normally buy for N350,000 now go for N1.5m to N1.8m; the market force is so tight, most time we just come to a dry market which short-changes us.
“Surprisingly, the market is so dry and empty even on the main Sallah day, as patronage is very low compared to previous years. Three to four years ago, this place used to boom with people, trooping in and out but today the story has changed because the turnout is so low and nothing to write home about.
“The major factor is the economy; there is no money in circulation, and the economy is not friendly. Before, a family could confidently manage meat worth N2000, but as we speak N5000 can barely go around.
“Another factor is the high cost of cows, rams and goats. On Sallah day, I bought one cow for N1.5m and some fractions. Truly, this economy is not for the weak. For those who can’t offer cow, ram, goat, or camel they should make do with what is available, thanking God for life even as they believe God for a change.
In the same vein, the Assistant Iman of Hausa Market, Shu’aibu Salisu admonished all the Muslims who are financially weak and can’t meet up with the demands as declared by Prophet Mohammed to be grateful and joyful, believing that the next Sallah, God will provide.
Meanwhile, a goat dealer from Yobe State, Sulei, whose business is to transport goats from Yobe State down to Delta State, disclosed that goats in Yobe State are a bit cheaper and affordable but due to the increment in fuel price which gave rise to the hike in transportation the prices have become high.
In Zaria, Sugaba Dan Kwando Magaji told our correspondent, ‘’We are not finding it easy, here we are in the market, and the market is scanty because people are not coming to purchase food items. The market that used to be full of people is now left for us traders. Truly, we are not happy about this situation. Instead of selling our commodities, we have just been lamenting about life all this while. Additionally, people do not have money, and the cost of buying these food items is high.
‘’Some people can afford to buy a ram, but only a few; many are resorting to buying chickens to slaughter. For poor people, buying chicken is the only option they have. Those you see with rams now, most of them have been rearing them for a long time; it’s not that they just woke up one day and bought them.
Also, Zakari Ruwaya, another respondent, said, ‘’Truly, we are just managing. I am supposed to have purchased a ram, but I am not able to do that due to financial constraints. I will just buy chicken for now, except when I get a favour before I can buy a ram. Everyone is crying in the nation.
‘’You cannot compare the last Saleh with this one. Last year, before this time, I had already bought a ram. That’s why we are complaining to the government that the policies they are using are not favouring the masses. This world will soon finish if the government hoards wealth and does not distribute it; when this world comes to an end, everything will be wasted. They say the government officials are enjoying it; the poor also deserve that chance in life. Can you imagine that a fat chicken here is N12,000 above? This is because even the feed is expensive.
Likeise, Yasir Ishaya, a trader selling pepper at Magaji Market in Zaria said, ‘’Despite the high prices of food items, people continue to make purchases. People are buying what they can afford, and while few are purchasing rams, a lot are trooping towards buying chicken; it’s just life.
However, in another interview with Rabiu Nakia, a ram trader, he shared a different view, saying, “People are buying rams a lot. I sell my rams for ₦220,000. Compared to last year, the Rams have a reduced price.
In Port Harcourt, the skyrocketing prices of livestock have become a major concern for many families. Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the cost of cows, rams, and goats has surged significantly compared to previous years, leaving many to consider alternative options for the festive sacrifice.
Our survey of major livestock markets, including the popular Slaughter Market, shows a sharp increase in prices due to high demand and rising transportation costs. The price range include Matured cow: ₦1.2 million – ₦1.8 million; Young cow: ₦1 million – ₦1.1 million (Previously sold for ₦950,000 – ₦980,000)
Rams, depending on the size sold for ₦280,000 – ₦350,000 (previous price was around ₦200,000 – ₦250,000) while Matured Hausa goat sold for ₦120,000 – ₦150,000; Native male goat: ₦75,000 – ₦80,000 and Native female goat: ₦80,000 – ₦85,000
Several cattle sellers and butchers attributed the increase to inflation, the high cost of animal feed, and transportation challenges. Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, a cattle dealer at Mile 3 Market, explained:
“The cost of bringing cows from the North has doubled due to fuel prices and bad roads. Also, the high demand during Sallah pushes prices up because everyone wants to buy at the same time.”
With the high prices, many families are now considering more affordable options. Our correspondent spoke to some livestock sellers and butchers about alternatives:
Some households are opting for chickens or turkeys as a substitute, while many families are pooling resources to buy a cow together, dividing the meat among themselves to cut costs.
Butchers at Slaughter Market say sales have dropped compared to previous years. Mr Chinedu Okoro, a goat seller, noted: “People are buying smaller goats or even chickens because of the economy. Before, a family would buy a ram, but now, many are going for cheaper options.”
Most traders believe prices will stabilize after the festive period when demand decreases. However, with inflation and rising costs of production, livestock may remain expensive in the long run.
