By Ismail Azeez
As Muslims across Nigeria prepare for the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the soaring prices of livestock in major markets have become a significant source of concern, with citizens struggling against the harsh realities of the nation’s economy.
A visit to major livestock markets in Osogbo showed that both buyers and traders are lamenting the steep increase in the prices of rams. Despite a heavy presence of prospective buyers, actual sales remain low due to the high cost of livestock.
A livestock dealer near the Osogbo City Stadium, Fatai Akanji, lamented that patronage is discouraging compared to 2025. Akanji explained that rising transportation costs and an increasing demand for livestock from neighboring countries have driven up prices.
Similarly, a trader at the Sabo market in Osogbo, Ishola Bolarin, lamented the low patronage compared to last year, noting that the cost of sourcing the rams from the North heavily impacted the final pricing.
A market survey revealed a sharp increase in the prices of rams, cows, and camels compared to previous years.
Rams, which are the preferred animals for the Eid sacrifice, now sell for between N150,000 and N700,000, depending on their size and quality.
Meanwhile, cows cost as much as N3 million, placing them far beyond the reach of the average Nigerian.
The current economic situation has heavily impacted intending buyers. Many families who usually participate in the religious rite of animal sacrifice are now finding it difficult to afford even the smallest ram.
Nevertheless, hope remains among buyers that competition among traders and last-minute market pressures could lead to slight price reductions just before the festival begins.