As Nigerians mark Eid-el-Fitr, many are forced to scale down their celebrations due to skyrocketing commodity prices and dwindling disposable income.
This year’s Sallah festivities come at a time of economic uncertainty, with inflation surpassing 30%, making traditional celebrations more challenging than ever.
Rising Food and Livestock Prices
While Eid-el-Fitr is traditionally not associated with animal slaughter, many Muslim families opt to buy rams, goats, or cows to mark the occasion.
However, this year, the prices of livestock have hit record highs.
- Rams: Between N150,000 and N500,000, depending on size.
- Goats: Between N90,000 and N350,000.
- Cows: Costing anywhere from N500,000 to N1 million.
As a result, many families are now sharing livestock or opting for more affordable alternatives such as chicken or turkey.
Food Prices Remain Unstable
Despite reports of a slight reduction in food prices, essential commodities remain largely unaffordable for most households:
- Rice: Now selling between N70,000 and N100,000 per bag.
- Beans: Price per derica has dropped from N2,000 to N1,000, but remains high.
- Cooking Oil: A 25-liter container of red oil has dropped from N60,000 to N47,000, yet remains beyond reach for many.
A food trader, Mrs. Mercy, lamented, “We expected prices to drop ahead of Sallah and Easter, but they remain stubbornly high. The cost of living is unbearable.”
Clothing Prices and Low Patronage
Eid celebrations also come with a tradition of wearing new clothes, but soaring prices have led to reduced sales.
- Brocade: Costs between N1,500 and N2,500 per yard.
- Lace fabric: Selling for N2,500 to N5,000 per yard.
- Tailoring Costs: Many artisans report that making a full outfit now requires N40,000 to N50,000, making new clothes a luxury for many families.
A tailor, Temitope John, shared, “People still want to look their best, but the demand for custom-made outfits is lower than in previous years.”
Struggles of the Common Man
For many Nigerians, even basic sustenance is a challenge.
Lookman Kelani, an artisan in Lagos, revealed, “Fasting has been tough because of the high cost of food. I can’t even think about new clothes; feeding my family for Sallah is my main concern.”
Similarly, civil servant Ngozi Uzor noted, “I wanted to buy new clothes for my children for Easter, but everything is just too expensive.”
Calls for Government Intervention
Many Nigerians are urging the government to take action. From subsidizing essential commodities to supporting farmers and improving distribution systems, citizens hope for urgent intervention to ease the financial burden.
“The government should step in to reduce food and clothing prices. It’s unfair that people should struggle so much during a festive period,” said Mohammed, a concerned Lagos resident.
Despite these challenges, many remain determined to observe Eid with gratitude, prayer, and community support. While financial constraints may limit grand celebrations, the spirit of togetherness remains strong among Nigerians.
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