Eid-el-Kabir: Miyetti Allah begs FG for loans amid soaring ram prices
The Miyetti-Allah Fulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association (MAFYDA) has urged the Federal Government to provide loan facilities to butchers nationwide to enable them to buy cows directly from farmers at livestock markets, rather than through middlemen.
The association said direct access to farmers would greatly reduce the high cost of beef and skin across the country.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), MAFYDA National Security Adviser, Comrade Pariya, identified middlemen between Fulani herders and butchers as major drivers of the rising prices.
He said most butchers could not afford to buy cattle directly from farmers due to lack of funds and were compelled to buy on credit from dealers at inflated prices.
“The dealers take advantage of the butchers’ financial challenges to exploit them,” Pariya said.
“Most butchers usually pay them after selling the meat.
“But if the government supports the butchers with loans, they can go to the cattle markets and buy the number of cows they need. In the long run, prices will crash across the country,” he said.
Pariya said a large cow currently costs between N500,000 and N750,000 at livestock markets, but dealers often resell them for between N1.3 million and N1.5 million, depending on location.
He also cited insecurity and high transportation costs as contributing factors to the price hike.
“Security challenges play a role, but it’s often exaggerated. They will tell you there is a security threat in a certain location, but when you get there, you find nothing.
“If butchers can go directly to the market and buy from farmers, everything will be easier,” he said.
Also speaking, MAFYDA Secretary in Taraba, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, attributed the high cost of beef to rising prices of veterinary drugs and vaccines, consultation fees, and lack of grazing land.
NAN reports that a kilogramme of beef, which sold for between N5,500 and N6,500 earlier in the year, now costs between N8,000 and N9,000, depending on location.
Less than 72 hours to the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, many households across the country have expressed concern over the escalating cost of sacrificial rams, saying the prices were beyond the reach of average earners amid persistent economic hardship.
Market surveys conducted across major livestock markets, including the popular Kara Market along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, as well as Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo, Ambursa, Achida, Bodinga, Wamakko and Kara markets in Sokoto State, revealed that although rams are available in large numbers, patronage was low as buyers grapple with shrinking purchasing power.
At Ambursa and Kalgo livestock markets in Kebbi State, small-sized rams were sold for between N100,000 and N200,000, while medium-sized breeds ranged from N300,000 to N500,000. Bigger and exotic breeds were priced between N600,000 and N1m, depending on their size and quality.
A similar trend was observed in major livestock markets across Sokoto State, particularly at Kara, Achida, Bodinga and Wamakko markets, where traders said prices had risen sharply compared to the previous Eid-el-Kabir season.
Many prospective buyers were seen moving from one seller to another, engaging in prolonged bargaining without making purchases.
Speaking at Ambursa Market, a resident of Birnin Kebbi, Ibrahim Sulaiman, said the high prices had made preparations for Sallah difficult for many families.
“Honestly, this year is very difficult. We came to buy a ram but the prices are shocking. What we bought for about N250,000 last year is now close to N500,000. We are hoping prices will come down before Sallah,” he said.
At Kalgo Market, a civil servant, Umar Aliero, said he had delayed purchasing a ram because of competing financial obligations and the rising cost of living.
“School fees, feeding and transportation are already taking most of our income. Buying a ram now requires serious planning,” he lamented.
In Sokoto, residents who visited Kara and Wamakko markets also voiced concerns over the cost of sacrificial animals.
One of the buyers at Kara Market, Musa Abdullahi, said many households might be unable to afford rams this year.
“The prices are beyond what ordinary workers can easily afford. Some people may have to contribute money together to buy one ram for Sallah,” Abdullahi said.
Livestock dealers, however, attributed the surge in prices to rising transportation costs, expensive animal feed, insecurity along supply routes and multiple levies imposed during the movement of animals from neighbouring countries and various parts of northern Nigeria.
A trader at Ambursa Market, Alhaji Sale said sellers were also grappling with difficult business conditions.
“Transportation and feeding costs have gone very high. We are not happy increasing prices, but that is the reality of the market now,” Unable explained.
He added that temporary ram markets had sprung up across Birnin Kebbi and Sokoto metropolis, with traders displaying animals along major roads, residential areas and open spaces in a bid to attract buyers ahead of the festival.
According to the Punch, several strategic roads and open spaces in both states had gradually transformed into makeshift livestock markets as traders intensified efforts to attract last-minute Sallah customers.
Despite the visible availability of animals across markets in Sokoto and Kebbi states, economic hardship continues to cast a shadow over the festive excitement usually associated with Eid-el-Kabir celebrations across the North-West.
At the popular Kara ram market along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, traders also lamented poor patronage despite having large numbers of animals available for sale.
A livestock dealer, Umaru Adamu, said he sold rams for between N200,000 and N1.5m, depending on the size and breed.
Another trader, Umaru Yusuf, blamed the increase in prices on rising logistics expenses and the cost of sourcing animals from neighbouring countries.
“We transport one ram for N20,000 and a cow for N50,000 from Maiduguri. We bring them in from countries like Chad to Maiduguri, which is another cost entirely,” he said.
The Miyetti-Allah Fulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association (MAFYDA) has urged the Federal Government to provide loan facilities to butchers nationwide to enable them to buy cows directly from farmers at livestock markets, rather than through middlemen.
The association said direct access to farmers would greatly reduce the high cost of beef and skin across the country.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), MAFYDA National Security Adviser, Comrade Pariya, identified middlemen between Fulani herders and butchers as major drivers of the rising prices.
He said most butchers could not afford to buy cattle directly from farmers due to lack of funds and were compelled to buy on credit from dealers at inflated prices.
“The dealers take advantage of the butchers’ financial challenges to exploit them,” Pariya said.
“Most butchers usually pay them after selling the meat.
“But if the government supports the butchers with loans, they can go to the cattle markets and buy the number of cows they need. In the long run, prices will crash across the country,” he said.
Pariya said a large cow currently costs between N500,000 and N750,000 at livestock markets, but dealers often resell them for between N1.3 million and N1.5 million, depending on location.
He also cited insecurity and high transportation costs as contributing factors to the price hike.
“Security challenges play a role, but it’s often exaggerated. They will tell you there is a security threat in a certain location, but when you get there, you find nothing.
“If butchers can go directly to the market and buy from farmers, everything will be easier,” he said.
Also speaking, MAFYDA Secretary in Taraba, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, attributed the high cost of beef to rising prices of veterinary drugs and vaccines, consultation fees, and lack of grazing land.
NAN reports that a kilogramme of beef, which sold for between N5,500 and N6,500 earlier in the year, now costs between N8,000 and N9,000, depending on location.
Less than 72 hours to the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, many households across the country have expressed concern over the escalating cost of sacrificial rams, saying the prices were beyond the reach of average earners amid persistent economic hardship.
Market surveys conducted across major livestock markets, including the popular Kara Market along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, as well as Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo, Ambursa, Achida, Bodinga, Wamakko and Kara markets in Sokoto State, revealed that although rams are available in large numbers, patronage was low as buyers grapple with shrinking purchasing power.
At Ambursa and Kalgo livestock markets in Kebbi State, small-sized rams were sold for between N100,000 and N200,000, while medium-sized breeds ranged from N300,000 to N500,000. Bigger and exotic breeds were priced between N600,000 and N1m, depending on their size and quality.
A similar trend was observed in major livestock markets across Sokoto State, particularly at Kara, Achida, Bodinga and Wamakko markets, where traders said prices had risen sharply compared to the previous Eid-el-Kabir season.
Many prospective buyers were seen moving from one seller to another, engaging in prolonged bargaining without making purchases.
Speaking at Ambursa Market, a resident of Birnin Kebbi, Ibrahim Sulaiman, said the high prices had made preparations for Sallah difficult for many families.
“Honestly, this year is very difficult. We came to buy a ram but the prices are shocking. What we bought for about N250,000 last year is now close to N500,000. We are hoping prices will come down before Sallah,” he said.
At Kalgo Market, a civil servant, Umar Aliero, said he had delayed purchasing a ram because of competing financial obligations and the rising cost of living.
“School fees, feeding and transportation are already taking most of our income. Buying a ram now requires serious planning,” he lamented.
In Sokoto, residents who visited Kara and Wamakko markets also voiced concerns over the cost of sacrificial animals.
One of the buyers at Kara Market, Musa Abdullahi, said many households might be unable to afford rams this year.
“The prices are beyond what ordinary workers can easily afford. Some people may have to contribute money together to buy one ram for Sallah,” Abdullahi said.
Livestock dealers, however, attributed the surge in prices to rising transportation costs, expensive animal feed, insecurity along supply routes and multiple levies imposed during the movement of animals from neighbouring countries and various parts of northern Nigeria.
A trader at Ambursa Market, Alhaji Sale said sellers were also grappling with difficult business conditions.
“Transportation and feeding costs have gone very high. We are not happy increasing prices, but that is the reality of the market now,” Unable explained.
He added that temporary ram markets had sprung up across Birnin Kebbi and Sokoto metropolis, with traders displaying animals along major roads, residential areas and open spaces in a bid to attract buyers ahead of the festival.
According to the Punch, several strategic roads and open spaces in both states had gradually transformed into makeshift livestock markets as traders intensified efforts to attract last-minute Sallah customers.
Despite the visible availability of animals across markets in Sokoto and Kebbi states, economic hardship continues to cast a shadow over the festive excitement usually associated with Eid-el-Kabir celebrations across the North-West.
At the popular Kara ram market along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, traders also lamented poor patronage despite having large numbers of animals available for sale.
A livestock dealer, Umaru Adamu, said he sold rams for between N200,000 and N1.5m, depending on the size and breed.
Another trader, Umaru Yusuf, blamed the increase in prices on rising logistics expenses and the cost of sourcing animals from neighbouring countries.
“We transport one ram for N20,000 and a cow for N50,000 from Maiduguri. We bring them in from countries like Chad to Maiduguri, which is another cost entirely,” he said.
