By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

As Eid-el-Kabir approaches, many Muslims across Ondo and Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government areas of Ondo State are abandoning the tradition of slaughtering rams and are instead turning to more affordable options such as goats and chickens.

Some are even skipping the sacrifice entirely. This shift is largely driven by the sharp rise in ram prices and the prevailing economic hardship.

In Ondo, a middle-aged woman, Folayemi Ademuyiwa, said her household had no plans to slaughter a ram or any substitute.

“We’re not slaughtering a ram, and we’re not considering alternatives either. Things are bad, but in every situation, we thank God. Hopefully, things will improve, and we can afford a ram next Sallah.

“We can’t even afford chicken, turkey, or fish. That’s how tough things are, but Alhamdulillah all the way. It’s been like this for the past five years.”

Also, a commercial driver, Ahmed Akinkuolie, said he opted for a goat this year instead of a ram.

“Last year, I bought a medium-sized ram for N120,000. That same size now costs nearly N250,000. There’s no way I can afford that. I’ve told my children we’ll buy a goat this year. God knows our intention.”

According to Zainab Yusuf, “I had been saving money since Ramadan so I could at least buy a small ram for my family. But this year, everything scattered. Shop rent increased, prices of goods doubled, and sales aren’t moving.

“I priced a ram last week at Civil Centre in Ondo — N200,000 for one I could’ve bought for N100,000 last year. I just smiled and left. I’ll buy a turkey or two big chickens, cook well, invite family over, and still celebrate. Sallah isn’t only about rams — it’s about sacrifice, prayer, and gratitude.”

The soaring price of rams is a concern for both buyers and sellers. A livestock dealer in Ondo, popularly called Alhaja, said prices have risen by at least 40 to 45 percent compared to last year.

“This year, rams sell between N200,000 and N950,000, depending on size and breed.”

She blamed the increase on rising feed costs, insecurity in the North, and a growing number of urban breeders.

“We can’t farm openly anymore due to insecurity. Customers buy only what they can afford.”

In Ile-Oluji, a trader, Abdul-Salam Hassan, said transporting rams from Sokoto to Ile-Oluji or Ondo State now costs over a million naira.

“Fuel prices, bad roads, and increased feed costs — now N8,000 to N9,000 compared to N3,000 last year — are making rams unaffordable,” he explained.

As roadside animal markets are popping up everywhere around the state, patronage remains low due to high prices. Sellers are, however, hopeful that sales will pick up closer to Sallah.

A resident, Muhammad Fadayomi, said he had already told his family he couldn’t afford a ram this year.

“I won’t push myself. A medium-sized ram costs over N200,000 while cows go for N1 million or more. Slaughtering is not obligatory in Islam. I’ll buy food instead — we can’t do without that.”

According to the ram sellers, patronage is slow. Ram prices range from N120,000 to N1 million depending on the buyer’s capacity.

They attributed the price hike to a ban on animal exports by Nigerien authorities.

They also noted that prices could rise even more if the ram is left with the seller until Sallah, due to feeding costs.

Speaking on the conditions for slaughtering a ram, the Chief Imam of Ondo Kingdom, Alhaji Bashir Alimi, said it is permissible for a Muslim to borrow money either for a goat or a ram.

“Someone without a job cannot do that, but someone who is expecting his or her salary or other payments can borrow, since there is an expected avenue of repayment. However, such borrowing must not come from a source where interest is charged.”

He also said that a six-month-old ram and a one-year-old goat are permissible for an individual, noting that only seven persons can contribute money to jointly buy a cow that has reached two years, and the same number can jointly buy a camel that is five years old.